MX2007007371A - Microbiocidal control in the processing of meat-producing four-legged animals. - Google Patents

Abstract

Methods of processing four-legged slaughter animals for consumption as meat and/ormeat product(s) are described. The methods comprise: I) contacting exterior surfacesof the live animal at least once with a microbiocidal solution formed from mixingtogether at least (i) water and (ii) at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin, suchcontacting occurring at least once when the animal is en route to being slaughtered butbefore it is killed by exsanguination; or II) contacting the carcass of the animal,after exsanguination, with a microbiocidal solution formed from mixing togetherat least (i) water and (ii) at least one 1,3 i-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin orIII) contacting at least one raw meat product and/or at least one processed meatproduct derived from the carcass. The contacting can be done one or more times ineach of I), II), and III). Considerable advantages, which are described, are realizedwhen using such methods.

Description

MICROBIOCIDAL CONTROL IN THE PROCESSING OF MEAT PRODUCTION OF QUADRUPPED ANIMALS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The contamination of meat and meat products with different pathogens such as Listeria, Escherichia, Salmonella, Campilobacter, and others, is a problem that has existed for many years. While other microbiocidal materials have been investigated for efficacy, the antimicrobial substances typically used in actual practice in the processing of animals at slaughter sites have been certain acids or certain biocidal-based chlorine agents such as sodium hypochlorite and calcium hypochlorite. . Huge numbers of quadruped animals are slaughtered and processed by meat and meat products consumed by humans or pets. Such animals include, for example, cattle, pigs, horses, sheep, bison, rabbit, camel, kangaroo, alligator, crocodile, and the like or potential sources of meat products, such as buffalo, goats, and llamas. These and other four-legged meat-producing animals used for food and food products, for example deer, antelope, moose, squirrel, opossum, raccoon, and otter, are sometimes collectively referred to here as four-footed sacrificial animals. Also the term "cattle" is used in a generic sense to include oxen, heifers, Ref. No.: 183089 cows, calves, and bulls; "pig" is used in a generic sense to include pigs, sows, young sow, young neutered pig, boar, and pigs; and the term "sheep" is used in a generic sense to include lambs, rams and sheep. Many quadruped sacrificial animals, especially those from which beef or pork is obtained, are processed by high-performance meat packaging plants using prior art technology. Despite modern processing procedures, bacterial contamination of fresh meat occurs as an undesirable but inevitable result of converting live quadruped animals from slaughter to food. Although current good manufacturing practices (GMPs) and / or recent government regulations can reduce this contamination, the total elimination of bacteria from fresh raw meats has not been achieved. Since deep muscle tissue is considered sterile in healthy animals, essentially all contamination originates from the surfaces of the carcass. Dirt, dust and manure on the hair, skin and hooves of animals represent a significant source of contamination. In addition, in some cases the rupture of internal organs during the removal process results in additional contamination of the housing.

The general nature of the methods and equipment used in the processing of quadruped slaughter animals for food is well known to those skilled in the art. In fact, the literature in the field is extensive. For example, Outlines by G.R. Acuff, PhD, Professor of Food Microbiology, Texas A & M university, from a pathogen reduction dialogue carried out on May 6, 2002, describes a typical livestock slaughtering operation that involves the following steps: cattle reception and retention, stunning, ischemia, head and shin removal , skin removal, evisceration, casing separation, final washing, and refrigeration. For the slaughter of pigs, Dr. Acuff, id., Identifies the following steps: reception and retention of the pig, stunning, ischemia, scalding, peeling, scorching, scraping and polishing, evisceration, and washing and refrigeration. Other authors give descriptions that are in the same general lines but that can vary up to a certain point. For example, the slaughter and processing of livestock as described in a chapter entitled Overview of Meat Processing refers in part to and explains the following processing steps: Pre-handling of livestock, stunning and bleeding, preparation and removal of the skin, evisceration, and cutting and deboning. In addition, the chapter further explains that cutting the carcass and boning often occur after cooling but that recent advances have made it possible to attempt deboning while the casing is still hot, a method called "hot boning". The same chapter describes and explains the steps in the slaughter and processing of pigs that includes: Pre-handling of pigs, stunning and bleeding, peeling and finishing, and evisceration and separation, with a statement in this last section that, finally, , the carcasses are quickly cooled during the night before the subsequent processes of cutting and deboning. In this way any person unknown with the steps or operations involved in the processing of quadruped slaughter animals for food can obtain a huge amount of information with reference to the extensive literature on the subject. A number of conventionally-used steps in the processing of quadruped slaughter animals for food constitute opportunities for microbial and pathogen contamination. Thus there is a need for one or more new methods to reduce or eliminate such contamination of animal carcasses or parts thereof during the processing of quadruped slaughter animals for food. Another need is for the provision of one or more methods that do not involve excessive cost in reducing or eliminating such contamination. An additional need is for the provision of one or more methods that do not involve undue interference with existing slaughter sites and / or meat packing operations. In addition to satisfying the above needs, it is of vital importance that the method used to satisfy the above needs does not cause any visible degradation in the quality or properties of the meat of the carcasses, especially in the appearance and flavor of the meat. This invention is considered to enable the fulfillment of the above needs, and not to cause any visible degradation in the quality or properties of the meat of the carcasses resulting from the use or methods of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention provides methods for decreasing the microbial contamination of (I) a quadruped sacrificial animal (for convenience hereinafter simply designated as "animal") that is processed for slaughter and / or (II) the carcass such animal and / or (III) raw meat products and / or processed meat products derived from the carcasses of such animals. According to one embodiment of this invention, in the processing of a four-legged sacrificial animal, the outer surfaces of a quadrupedal live-sacrificial animal are contacted prior to slaughter with an aqueous microbiocidal composition formed upon mixing. minus 1, 3-dibromo-5,5-dihylhydantoin with an aqueous medium to form an aqueous composition in a microbiocidally-effective manner. In another embodiment of this invention, at one or more appropriate stages during processing of the animal carcass, the carcass surfaces of the slaughtered animal are contacted with an aqueous microbiocidal composition formed by mixing at least one, dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin with an aqueous medium to form an aqueous composition in a microbiocidal-effective manner. Depending on the type of carcass of the animal being processed, such contact may be conducted before, during and / or after removing the skin from the carcass, or before or after removing the hair and / or the bristles from the carcass. In yet another embodiment of this invention, in one or more appropriate steps before, during and / or after the preparation of the raw meat products and / or the processed meat products such products are contacted with an aqueous microbiocidal composition formed by mixing at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin with an aqueous medium to form an aqueous composition in a microbiocidal-effective manner. Some examples of raw meat products include steaks, chops, rib sections, roasts, hams, loin, animal organs, and ground beef. Some examples of meat products processed include prepared ready-to-eat products, sausages, frankfurters, and sliced meats. Substantial advantages can be achieved by the use of an aqueous microbiocidally-effective form composition formed of one or more 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoins. In addition to being more effective on a halogen basis as are other biocidal halogen-containing agents such as hypochlorite or, N, N'-bromochloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, the 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoins form aqueous compositions of microbiocidally-effective form which are less corrosive to the injectors, assemblies, cabinets, which transport the apparatus, and other various parts of washing, irrigation, spraying, and / or steam systems used. On the other hand, due to their high efficacy as antimicrobials, 1, 3-dibromo-5, 5-diakylhydantoins such as 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin can be introduced into an aqueous medium at conveniently low dosage levels. and even forming compositions that have improved microbiocidal effectiveness, and no appreciable adverse effect when applied to a quadrupedal live-sacrificial animal that is processed for slaughter. In addition, 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoins form aqueous compositions which are stable over a range of temperatures as low as just above the freezing point of the composition at about 70 ° C and which through this range of temperatures are highly effective against microorganisms and pathogens even when such compositions are formed using low dosage levels of 1,3-dibromo-5,5-diakylhydantoin (s). In this way, the effective microbiocidal form compositions of this invention can be used effectively under most, if not all, of the temperature conditions encountered in the treatment of quadruped slaughter animals, at least for meat. In addition, experimental results have shown that, surprisingly, the practice of this invention will not cause visible degradation in the quality or the meat properties of the carcasses resulting from the use or methods of this invention. In this way the combination of the extremely high antimicrobial efficacy and the lack of harmful effects on the meat allows the aqueous microbiocidally-effective form composition formed of one or more 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoins to also be used. effectively in the sterilization of raw meat and / or meat products at any stage before, during, and / or after preparation.

The different embodiments and features of this invention will be more apparent from the following description, appended figures, and appended claims. The international application WO 03/001931 Al, published on January 9, 2003 describes, among other things, the use of aqueous solutions of microbiocides based on certain halogens such as a solution formed in bromine water, chlorine or bromine chloride, or any or all of the three thereof and a water-soluble source of the sulfamate anion; or at least one of 1,3-dihalo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin in which one of the halogen atoms is a chlorine atom and the other is a chlorine or bromine atom and the alkyls independently have 1-4 atoms of carbon; or at least 1, 3-dibromo-5, 5-dimethylhydantoin in which one alkyl is methyl, and the other alkyl has 1-4 carbon atoms to disinfect the carcasses and / or poultry parts that result of the processing of poultry. It is shown that the skin color of the chicken and the taste of the chicken meat are not adversely affected by the disinfection processing used. The processed poultry carcasses have a substantial layer of waterproof skin that covers the meat. In contrast, the carcasses of four-legged sacrificial animals after skin removal have no waterproof protective layer. As will be seen below, it has been shown that the direct contact of an aqueous microbiocidally-effective composition of this invention with raw beef yields only a slight change in the color of the meat indicating that the microbiocides used in accordance with this invention in appropriate proportions do not adversely affect the quality of the meat. Accordingly, the treatment of quadruped slaughter animals such as cattle cow, with an aqueous composition of microbiocidal-effective form of this invention especially before removal of the skin, and / or carcasses of such animals after removal of the skin, must also have little, if any, effect on the quality of the meat. It is also remarkable that the treatment of poultry, especially in highly automated modern plants, involves at least in the cooling tank, long periods of time, for example, about one hour, during which the microbiocide can exercise its activity microbiocide In contrast, in high-production meat packing plants and slaughter sites in which cattle or pigs are processed, sprays of relatively short duration are typically used. Therefore, the time available for a microbiocide to exercise its microbiocidal activity is generally considerably shorter in such plants or slaughter sites than in a plant that processes poultry for edible meat products. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating typical steps during the processing of cattle in which, according to this invention, cattle and / or cattle carcasses can be brought into contact with the cattle. aqueous compositions of microbiocidally-effective form used in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating typical steps during the processing of the pigs in which, according to this invention, the pigs and / or carcasses of the pigs can be contacted with the aqueous compositions in a microbiocidal manner. effective used in accordance with this invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The aqueous microbiocidally-effective form compositions of this invention are formed of components comprising at least (i) water and (ii) at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin. These components are mixed in proportions of microbiocidal-effective form, and such proportions can vary depending on several factors such as for example the animal species that is processed, the time of year that the animals are being processed, the amount of microbial contamination in the animals. animals that are processed, the kind and degree of contamination to which the animals, carcasses, and / or parts thereof are exposed during the different operations conducted at a slaughter site or a meat packing plant, and the type of object (s) that is processed or prepared, if the animal is alive, the carcass of the animal, the raw meat product, and / or the processed meat product. Generally, however, the water of the components and at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin are provided in such a way that an effective microbiocidal amount of microbiocide formed from water and one or more 1,3-dibromo-5,5-diaquillhydantoins is present in the resulting composition. In the formation of such compositions, typically up to about 400 parts by weight of one or more 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoins are mixed with one million parts by weight of water (in this case, the amount of 1, 3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin (s) used in the formation of the composition relating to the amount of water used in the formation of the composition is up to about 400 ppm wt / wt). Preferred compositions are formed by mixing up to about 200 parts by weight, more preferably up to about 100 parts by weight, and even more preferably up to about 50 parts by weight, of one or more 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoins per every million parts by weight of water used. Typically a minimum of at least about 0.5 parts by weight of one or more 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoins per one million parts by weight of water will be used in the formation of the aqueous compositions in a microbiocidal-effective manner of this invention, especially those compositions used to sterilize or decontaminate raw meat products and / or processed meat products. Preferably at least about 10 parts by weight, more preferably at least about 20 parts by weight, and even more preferably by about 50 parts by weight, of one or more 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoins per one million parts by weight of water will be used in the formation of the aqueous microbiocidally-effective compositions of this invention, especially those compositions used to sterilize or decontaminate live quadrupedal sacrificial animals and / or carcasses of such animals. From the foregoing it will be noted that the ranges of concentrations that can be used in accordance with this invention include the following: about 0.5 to about 400 ppm, about 0.5 to about 200 ppm, about 0.5 to about 100 ppm, about 0.5 to about about 50 ppm, about 10 to about 400 ppm, about 10 to about 200 ppm, about 10 to about 100 ppm, about 10 to about 50 ppm, about 20 to about 400 ppm, about 20 to about 200 ppm, from about 20 to about 100 ppm, from about 20 to about 50 ppm, from about 50 to about 400 ppm, from about 50 to about 200 ppm, and from about from about 100 ppm. Particularly preferred especially for sterilizing or decontaminate live quadrupedal sacrificial animals and / or the carcasses of such animals are the aqueous microbiocidally-effective form compositions of this invention formed from an amount of one or more 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoins in the range from about 20 to about 100 parts by weight per one million parts by weight of water. Preferred compositions used to sterilize or decontaminate raw meat products and / or processed meat products range from about 0.5 to about 400 parts by weight of one or more 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoins per each. million parts by weight of water. The most preferred compositions for use in the sterilization or decontamination of raw meat products and / or processed meat products are made in the range of from about 50 to about 200 parts by weight of one or more 1,3-dibromo-5. , 5-dialkylhydantoins per one million parts by weight of water. Even more preferred compositions for use in the sterilization or decontamination of raw meat products and / or processed meat products are made in the range of about 50 to about 100 parts by weight of one or more 1,3-dibromo- 5, 5-dialkylhydantoins per one million parts by weight of water. Another way to express the amounts of one or more 1,3-dibromo-5, 5-dialkylhydantoins that dissolve in water to forming an aqueous microbiocidally-effective composition of this invention is in terms of residual bromine. Thus, in the practice of this invention, the water is mixed with at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin microbiocidal agent in an amount to achieve a residual bromine of up to about 400 ppm (wt / wt). as free bromine, preferably up to about 200 ppm (wt / wt) as free bromine. More preferably, the amount of at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin microbiocidal agent mixed with water reaches a residual bromine of up to about 100 ppm (wt / wt) as free bromine, and even more preferably up to about 50 ppm (wt / wt) as free bromine. Typically a minimum residual bromine of at least about 0.5 ppm (wt / wt) as free bromine of one or more 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoins will be used especially in those compositions which are used to sterilize or decontaminate products of raw meat and / or processed meat products. Preferably a minimum of residual bromine of at least about 10 ppm (wt / wt) as free bromine, more preferably at least about 20 ppm (wt / wt) as free bromine, and even more preferably at least about 50 ppm ( wt / wt) as free bromine from one or more 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoins will be used especially in those compositions which are used to sterilize or decontaminate quadruped animals of live sacrifice and / or carcasses of such animals. Particularly preferred especially for sterilizing or decontaminating live quadrupedal sacrificial animals and / or carcasses of such animals are the aqueous microbiocidally effective compositions of this invention having a residual bromine in the range of about 20 to about 100 ppm (wt / wt). ) as free bromine of one or more 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoins. Preferred compositions used to sterilize or decontaminate raw meat products and / or processed meat products are compositions having a residual bromine in the range of about 0.5 to about 400 ppm (wt / wt) as free bromine from one or more 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoins. The most preferred compositions for use in the sterilization or decontamination of raw meat products and / or processed meat products are compositions having a residual bromine in the range of about 50 to about 200 ppm (wt / wt) as free bromine from one or more 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoins. Even more preferred compositions for use in the sterilization or decontamination of raw meat products and / or processed meat products are compositions having a residual bromine in the range of about 50 to about 100 ppm (wt / wt) as bromine free from one or more 1,3-dibromo-5, 5- dialkylhydantoins. The product solution is typically used at a temperature of about 5 to about 39 ° C, but can be used at higher temperatures, for example up to about 70 ° C, if desired. There are two general types of treatments of quadruped slaughter animals in which this invention is applicable. They are: I) administration of aqueous microbiocidally-effective compositions used in accordance with this invention to the exterior surfaces of live quadrupedal sacrificial animals that are processed for slaughter; and II) administering microbiocidally-effective aqueous compositions used in accordance with this invention to carcasses of freshly sacrificed quadruped slaughter animals that are processed for meat and / or meat products. As noted above there is another processing category in which this invention is applicable, which is: III) administration of the aqueous microbiocidally-effective compositions used in accordance with this invention for raw meat products and / or products of Processed meat derived from the slaughtered animal at any appropriate stage (s) before, during, and / or after any operation used in the preparation and / or treatment of such raw meat products and / or processed meat products. Type I Processing As can be seen from the above, the type I processing according to this invention is related to the reduction of microbiocidal contamination of the meat and / or meat products that will be produced from the processing of the animals, by putting in contact with the outer surfaces of the animal during one or more of the initial stages of processing while the animal has not yet been sacrificed. These steps include any pre-handling step taken with the animals before they are killed (in this case, while they are still alive) such as receiving and retaining the animal, transferring the animal to the stunned, stunned area of the animal, and handling or transfer of the stunned animal before exsanguination. Thus according to one embodiment of this invention the animal's outer surfaces are contacted with one or more aqueous microbiocidally-effective compositions of this invention during at least one step or step while the animal is still alive. Preferably, prior to the use of one or more aqueous microbiocidally-effective form compositions of this invention to the live animal, areas such as hindquarters of the animal, legs and pesuñas and other areas where there is fecal matter in the animals, are initially cleaned of fecal matter with hose or with the use of sprays of at least water or aqueous detergent solutions. If such a preferred cleaning is actually conducted, according to this invention the live animal is exposed to spraying, showering, steam, partial bathing, or any other suitable method of applying at least one microbiocidally-effective aqueous composition of this invention to the outer surfaces of the animal while it is still alive. Preferably at least one microbiocidally-effective aqueous composition of this invention is substantially applied to the whole animal before the animal enters the area where the bleeding occurs (in this case, bleeding and death). This can be achieved, for example, by providing at least one shower area and / or the spray zone at a location where the animals are moved from the holding areas to the slaughter sites or the meat packing plant. . While the animals pass through such an area or zones, they are ducted and / or sprayed with one or more aqueous compositions of the microbiocidal-effective form of this invention so that the exterior of the animal is wetted by such composition. Such sprays can be fixed or articulated sprays. Also, the shower and / or the sprays can be of different intensities to ensure the total humectation of the skin and the elimination of animal waste. Preferably, the animal is then made to walk through of a bath of the aqueous microbiocidally-effective form composition of this invention so that at least the area of the lower leg and the hooves of the animal are washed by such a composition. Such a bath may include forced spray jets from the subsurface to improve washing efficiency. It is preferred to place such a bath outside the slaughter site or the meat packing plant, and / or at least in a perimeter area of the slaughter site or the meat packing plant since such positioning will help to ensure that the amount of microbiocidal contamination produced within the slaughter site or the meat packing plant is effectively minimized by the practice of this invention. This in turn greatly reduces the likelihood of cross contamination during subsequent processing operations conducted at the slaughter site or the meat packing plant. Another Type I operation according to this invention is the application of vapors of the aqueous microbiocidally-effective form composition of this invention to the animal instead of, or in addition to, sprays as the animal moves to the slaughter site or plant. of meat packaging. Also the sequence of the passage through the zones can be varied, for example, making the animals walk through a bath of the aqueous composition in a Microbiocidal-effective can occur before or at the same time that one or more showers and / or sprays are applied to the animal. Another option is to provide a vaporization zone in which at least one microbiocidally-effective aqueous composition of this invention is applied to the animal after one or more areas where the shower, spray and / or bath (in any desired sequence) ) of the animal with at least one aqueous microbiocidally-effective form composition of this invention occurs. Finally, any sequence of applying at least one aqueous microbiocidal-effective composition of this invention to the living animal can be used. And such an application preferably occurs while the animal moves to the slaughter site or the meat packing plant and / or is in an area of the perimeter of the slaughter site or of the meat packing plant. Still another embodiment of the invention is a new way of applying one or more showers and / or sprays to the living animal. This is achieved by using a portable shower and / or spray compartment which may also contain a vaporizer and / or a partial bathing area. The animal or a procession of animals are passed through and through such a compartment in which the exterior (s) of the animal (s) are brought into contact with (eg, showering, spraying, etc.) at least one aqueous microbiocidally-effective composition of this invention before proceeding within, or additionally within, from the slaughter site or from the meat packing plant. Such a portable shower or spray compartment can be adjusted and adapted to be transported from one place to another by means of a trailer or an 18-wheeled rail car, or it can be constructed as a unitary trailer with wheels-appropriately adapted for be transported from one place to another by means of a tractor or farm tractor. Such a trailer may be equipped with its own source of aqueous microbiocidally-effective form of this invention, or the trailer may pull a source of such composition located at the site where the treatment will take place. Likewise, the energy to drive the pumps that feed the microbiocidally-effective aqueous composition of this invention to the shower (s), sprays, and / or vaporization devices can be generated by an on-board energy source or a generator, or the energy can be provided by the site where the treatment will take place. Preferably, the residual water from the treatment of such portable shower and / or spray compartment is collected by the compartment itself. After the solids are removed from the recovered wastewater and, if necessary, the additional microbiocidally-effective aqueous composition of this invention is mixed with such waste-free solid water, the resulting wastewater can be reused in the portable shower and / or dew compartment. This mode is especially useful in the case of small slaughter sites where, periodically, only one or a relatively small number of animals are slaughtered, such as a portable shower and / or dew compartment can be distributed from one site to another for use in different small slaughter sites when the slaughter operation of the animal occurs there. Where more than one living animal uses the bath zone, shower zone, spray zone, and / or vaporization zone according to this invention, the microbiocidally-effective form concentrations of the respective microbiocidal-effective aqueous compositions of this invention used in such areas may be the same or at least two such compositions may differ in concentration. The actual concentration ranges are typically in the ranges described above but can be increased to meet the needs of the occasion, such as in the case that animals have been exposed to extraordinary amounts of fecal matter due to unusual circumstances such as microbiocidal contamination unexpected from a source of food or drinking water of the animal, illness of some animals within a herd, delay of transportation, or the like. The temperature (s) of the aqueous microbiocidally effective compositions of this invention used in the prior Type I processing that according to this invention may differ over an appropriate range. In this way the composition (s) used can be applied after being heated to an appropriate warm temperature or conversely cooled to an appropriate cooling temperature to assist in reassuring the animals as they approach the slaughter site or the packing plant. of meat, and thereby improve the movement of a procession of animals from the retention area to the slaughter site or to the meat packing plant and / or as they approach the stunning area. Also, by conveniently adjusting the temperature of the composition (s) it is possible to prevent or at least reduce the heat-related disease (e.g., insolation) of nearby stressed-out animals to be packaged. Among the additional advantages of the above Type I processing is that the microbiocidal efficacy of aqueous microbiocidal compositions formed by mixing one or more 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoins with an aqueous medium is exceptionally high even when low dosage levels are used of such compound (s). This in turn avoids or at least minimizes the likelihood of adverse behavior reaction of the animal as long as, for example, the spray is applied to the eyes or otherwise comes into contact with the sensitive body parts of the animal. animal. The nullification or minimization of such adverse behavior reaction of the animal is beneficial in that the movement of a procession of animals to the slaughter site or to the meat packing plant and / or to the stunning area is not interrupted. In the operations of small slaughter sites where, periodically, only one or relatively few animals are slaughtered, the operations described above can be conducted in various ways. For example, animals can be sprayed by the use of one or more pressurized hand-spraying devices each attached by a hose to an appropriate source of an aqueous microbiocidally-effective composition of this invention. Alternatively, the composition may be applied by the use, for example, of mops, hand rags, sponges, or scrubbing brushes, and / or by simply moistening the live animal with the composition of this invention from a bucket or bucket. In operations such as these, care should be taken to ensure that effective coverage of the outer surfaces of the animal is achieved by the applied microbiocidally effective aqueous composition of this invention. Also, as in any operation where the parts of the operator (s) can be repeatedly exposed to a chemical solution again, it is desirable that the operator (s) use at least waterproof gloves and eyeglasses, and also preferably waterproof outer clothing. According to the above, it is preferable to shower the animal with water before applying the aqueous microbiocidally-effective composition of this invention to the animal. Other locations at the slaughter site or the meat packing plant where an aqueous microbiocidally-effective composition of this invention can be applied with desirable results to the animals while they are still alive in the area where the animal should be stunned and / or where the stunned animal is handled after being stunned but before the bleeding starts. Such handling may include, for example, transportation and / or restraint of the stunned animal to a conveyor system. In such locations at the slaughter site or at the meat packing plant, the application of an aqueous microbiocidally-effective form composition of this invention to the exterior surfaces of the stunned animal such as by means of a shower system, Dew, steam or bath system can be convenient. Such an operation may be further utilized to or in place of the application of an aqueous microbiocidally-effective form composition of this invention to the animal's exterior surfaces as it moves from the retention area to the slaughter site or plant. meat packing and / or is in an area of the perimeter of the slaughterhouse of the meat packing plant, as described above. In all cases of the type I process, it is preferred to ensure that the live animal has been thoroughly washed with water or the aqueous detergent solution at least once before applying the aqueous microbiocidally-effective composition of this invention to the animal before it is killed. It is also possible according to this invention to dye the living animal with water or the aqueous detergent solution and then apply it to the animal while it is still alive, an aqueous mixture in which one or more surfactants or detergents are included in an aqueous composition. in a microbiocidally-effective form of this invention. Type II Processing As used elsewhere herein including the claims, the term "carcass" denotes the body of the slaughtered quadrupedal animal at any stage of the processing operations used to convert the dead animal into meat. Thus the term "carcass" includes (i) the body of the whole slaughtered animal, (ii) the trunk of the remaining body after removing the head and / or legs from the trunk of the animal, (iii) the separate head and the separated legs. of them, and (iv) the parts of the trunk of the body after they have separated in two.

In accordance as has been used elsewhere herein including the claims, the term "during" denotes a period of time either (i) through the entire time a given operation is being conducted or (ii) in a certain part or parts of time that a given operation is being conducted only but not all of the time that such given operation is conducted. For example the phrase "during skin removal" means that a certain specified thing is done (i) at least through the full time that a skin removal operation is taking place in a given carcass, or alternatively , (ii) for one or more periods of time - but not through the full time - a skin removal operation is taking place in a given carcass. Also note that such skin removal operation (or the other specified operation) does not need to be continuous in the sense, for example, that the skin must be separated from the animal continuously from the beginning to the end of the operation in a given housing. . Such withdrawal may be continuous or non-continuous with pauses occurring during the joint operation (eg, removal of the skin), and thus the specified thing is performed both (i) at least through the full time that an operation given (for example, skin removal) is being carried out in a given carcass including any pauses that occur in such an operation, or alternatively, (ii) for one or more periods of time - but not through full time - a given operation (eg skin removal) is taking place in a given carcass including any pauses that occur in such an operation. In accordance as has been used elsewhere herein, including the claims, the term "product solution" denotes the aqueous solution resulting from mixing together at least water and one or more 1,3-dibromo-5, -dialkylhydantoins. According to the current theoretical concepts, 1, 3-dibromo-5, 5-dialkylhydantoins, at least to a certain degree, lose their original chemical structure when dissolved in an aqueous medium and the resulting composition, whatever it may be, it is denoted here as a "product solution" while being formed of such specified components. As used elsewhere herein including the claims, the term "directly precedes" means that the specified thing (eg, by contacting a shell with a microbiocidal aqueous composition) is done before the next operation ( for example, removal of skin or leather) has started without any intermediate operation being conducted except to transport the housing from the place where the specified object was driven to the place where the operation that follows is to be performed.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, the outer surfaces of a non-eviscerated carcass of at least one quadrupedal sacrificial animal is contacted at least once with an aqueous microbiocidal-effective composition of this invention. This contact may be effected by immersing the housing in an aqueous microbiocidally-effective form composition of this invention, showering, spraying or vaporizing the housing with an aqueous microbiocidally-effective composition of this invention, or using any other method of applying the aqueous composition of microbiocidal-effective form of this invention so that it comes into direct contact with the housing before, during and / or after removal of the skin or after removal of the hair and / or bristle, but in each case before the evisceration. Thus in the case of the processing of the animal where the skin is removed followed by evisceration with or without an intermediate water wash, contact in this embodiment of the invention must occur before, during and / or after the withdrawal stage. skin but before the evisceration operation starts. In the case of processing the animal where the skin is not removed prior to evisceration (eg, where the carcass is subject to scorching or shearing to remove the hair and / or the bristles, followed by evisceration, with or without an intermediate water shower), contact in this embodiment of the invention generally must occur after singeing or sheared but before the evisceration operation begins. It is also possible to cause contact to occur during hair removal and / or bristles when the removal is conducted by a different scorching method. In any case (in this case, where the skin is removed or where the skin is not removed before evisceration), in a mobile line of spaced-apart suspended casings, the contact should be conducted so that the exposed surfaces of each shell are wetted and remain wetted by the aqueous microbiocidal solution used according to this invention for a period of at least 5 seconds, and preferably for a period of at least 30 seconds. Also in any case the aqueous microbiocidally-effective form composition of this invention can be preheated so that it is applied to the shell before evisceration, the spray or vapor of the solution is at a temperature above room temperature but not higher of about 70 ° C, and preferably no higher than about 39 ° C. Since such heating does not materially diminish the biocidal activity of the aqueous microbiocidally-effective compositions of this invention, the ability to heat such compositions ensures that the usual processing line speeds at automated slaughter sites will not be excessively compromised.

When applying an aqueous microbiocidally-effective composition of this invention to an animal carcass during skin removal it is convenient to employ both spraying and steaming as the method of application. In this way the usual skin removal operation need not be altered materially to adjust the application of the aqueous microbiocidally-effective composition of this invention to the carcass during skin removal. In a preferred embodiment of the invention a series of separately spaced suspended non-eviscerated animal carcasses is passed within a spray zone such as in one or more shower enclosures or shower compartment areas installed with injectors and / or spray heads which direct at least one spray or shower, preferably a plurality of sprays, of an aqueous microbiocidally-effective composition of this invention on the surfaces of at least one casing at a time as it passes through the dew zone . The spraying coverage should ensure that the surfaces of the suspended casing are all exposed to, and are in contact with, the aqueous microbiocidally-effective composition of this invention. In this mode the non-eviscerated carcasses that enter the dew area will have been skinned (ie the skin has been removed) or the skin or leather will remain intact but the hair and / or the bristles will have been removed from the shell typically by By singeing, shearing or other appropriate hair and / or bristle removal technique, the choice between skinning and removing hair and / or bristles depends on the kind of animals being processed. For example, typically with livestock the skin will be removed prior to the entrance of the housing in the spray zone for the antimicrobial treatment of this invention with an aqueous microbiocidally-effective composition of this invention, while with the pigs, the housing it will typically be scorched to consume the hair and / or surface bristles prior to the entrance of the housing in the spray zone for such treatment. After the casing outlets the spray zone, the casing will typically be washed with rinse water by any appropriate technique such as dipping, spraying, submerging, etc., and then eviscerated, or subject to evisceration as the next step in the processing without an intermediate water wash. Yet another preferred embodiment of the invention involves applying an aqueous microbiocidal-effective composition of this invention to the animal carcass during evisceration. To minimize the possibility of interfering with the normal or conventional evisceration procedure, it is preferable to apply the microbiocidally-effective aqueous composition of this invention to the housing as a vapor or as a low-pressure fine mist during most if not all the time that the casing is being eviscerated.

Such steam or fine spraying ensures that the shell and viscera are both wetted directly by the aqueous microbiocidally-effective form composition of this invention without at the same time impairing the efficiency of the operation. A particular advantage of this preferred embodiment is that the microbial or bacterial contamination in case of rupture of the viscera is punctually combated by the presence and continuous application of the highly effective microbiocidal aqueous composition of this invention. Therefore, contamination of carcasses that result from such microbial or bacterial contamination can be avoided without closing the bottom line. As an adjunct to this preferred embodiment, the viscera after removal may be transported or taken to a wash zone where the viscera are immersed in a bath of an aqueous microbiocidally-effective composition of this invention for a sufficient period to ensure effective microbial and bacterial control. A further embodiment of this invention is to conduct a washing of the housing from the inside to the outside of the eviscerated housing before and / or during and / or after the operation of separating the housing. In the washing of the indoor-outdoor housing according to this invention, it is preferred to use a spray-release system such as a probe or a bayonet which according to this invention applies a pressurized spray of the microbiocidally-effective aqueous composition of this invention to the inner cavity of the casing and another spray-release system such as a series of injectors, which the system applies to the aqueous composition of microbiocidally-effective form of this invention to the outside of the housing. In particularly preferred embodiments of this invention the aqueous microbiocidally-effective form composition of this invention applied by the spray-release system to the interior cavity of the housing has a higher concentration of the microbiocide formed from 1,3-dibromo- 5, 5-dialkylhydantoin (s) than the concentration of the microbiocide formed of 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin (s) in the water applied by the spray-release system to the outside of the housing. The 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin (s) used to form the microbiocidal content in the water used to wash the interior cavity of the housing and the 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin (s) used to form the microbiocidal content of the water used to wash the exterior of the housing can be, and will generally be, of the same chemical composition. However, 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dyalkyl hydantoin (s) of different chemical composition can be used to form these respective microbiocidal-effective aqueous compositions of this invention for such interior-to-exterior washing.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention a plurality of eviscerated animal carcasses suspended while being carried or otherwise transported within a cooling zone and / or after they have been received in a cooling zone are subjected while still they are hot (in this case, the carcasses have not lost all the original heat of the body of the animal while they are alive) to at least one spray, shower, or vapor of an aqueous microbiocidally-effective composition of this invention so that such composition comes into contact with both the inside and the outside of the housing. When the suspended casing is being transported to the cooling zone, spraying, showering, or vaporizing the traveling casing may be effected within one or more appropriate sprays or vaporization cabinets or within one or more shower compartments or shower areas. Optionally, the rinse water can be applied after application of the aqueous microbiocidally-effective form composition of this invention. When the housing is within the cooling zone, typically in a stationary or rotary stationary position, such spraying, showering, or vaporizing can be conducted continuously for a single appropriate period of time, but preferably such sprays, showers, or sprays can be conducted. Apply periodically to the casing. This preferred embodiment is particularly advantageous for use in the cattle process wherein the carcasses are typically aged in a cooling zone for periods in the range of about 6 to about 16 hours. The application of such sprays, showers, or vapors, especially if conducted periodically during the aging period, not only effectively prevents microbial growth and development, but prevents the meat from losing its tenderness. In a clear contrast, the application of a mist, shower, or clear water vapor during aging in a cooling zone prevent the meat from drying out and becoming resistant, tends to result in an explosive growth of the bacterial population. Another feature of this invention is that eviscerated animal carcasses suspended while being carried or otherwise transported in a cooling zone and / or after they have been received in a cooling zone can be sprayed, douched, or vaporized with a aqueous microbiocidally-effective form composition of this invention which is itself at a low temperature of about 15 ° C or below and preferably at about 10 ° C or below, and more preferably at a temperature of about 7 ° C or below , but in all cases on the freezing temperature of the microbiocidal solution. It can be observed therefore that in this operation the cold spray, the shower, or the steam used serve some functions. First of all, the cold spray, shower, or steam applied to these casings provides excellent microbial and / or bacterial control even when used at such low temperatures. Second, cold spray, shower, or steam when applied to carcasses while being carried or otherwise transported to a cooling zone and / or shortly after they have been received in a cooling zone help in the cooling of the casings. Third, cold spray, shower, or steam when applied to housings that have already cooled sufficiently to be at the desired low temperature, will not materially increase the temperature of the cooled housings. In all cases the coverage of sprays, showers, or vapors should ensure that the surfaces of the suspended casings are exposed to the aqueous microbiocidally-effective composition of this invention. According to another preferred embodiment of this invention, the effective microbiocidal control in the processing of quadrupedal sacrificial animals, especially cattle or pigs, is caused by the use of an aqueous microbiocidal-effective composition of this invention in at least two of three stages or important processing stations of the animal, so that without materially affecting productivity, a more effective microbiocidal control is achieved with respect to the use of hypochlorite or other microbiocides derived from chlorine.

More particularly, according to this preferred embodiment of this invention, water treated with at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin to form an aqueous microbiocidally-effective composition of this invention is contacted with the shell of a four-legged sacrificial animal during at least two of the following three operations: (1) before, during and / or after removal of the skin or before and / or after hair removal and / or bristles, and in some cases during hair removal and / or bristles by methods other than singeing, (2) during evisceration, and (3) immediately before and / or during cooling. The methods to carry out each of these three operations have been described above. In a particularly preferred embodiment, an aqueous microbiocidally-effective form composition of this invention is used in at least two, preferably at least three, preferably at least four, and more preferably in at least five of the following operations for a sacrificial site of the prior art in the processing of cattle: (1) removal of the skin, (2) disinfection between removal of the skin and before evisceration, (3) evisceration, (4) separation of the housing, (5) final wash, and (6) cooled. Operations other than (2) are typically carried out at slaughter sites of the prior art state in processing of cattle, but of course without using an aqueous microbiocidally-effective composition of this invention in any operation. The operation (2) is an operation intended to be unique to this invention. The methods for carrying out operations (1), (2), (3), (4), and (6) in accordance with this invention have been described above. In step (5), in this case, the final washing operation, any conventional way of carrying out such an operation can be used according to this invention simply by including in a little or all the washing water of an aqueous microbiocidal composition -effective of this invention. In another particularly preferred embodiment, an aqueous microbiocidally-effective form composition of this invention is used in at least two, preferably at least three, and most preferably in all of the following four operations: used in a slaughter site of the prior state of the art in the processing of pigs: (1) disinfection between removal of the skin and before evisceration, (2) evisceration, (3) separation, and (4) cooling. The different operations (1) are typically carried out at sacrificial sites of the prior art in the processing of cattle, but of course without using an aqueous microbiocidally-effective composition of this invention in any operation. The operation (1) is an operation intended to be unique to this invention. The methods for carrying out operations (1), (2), (3), and (4) in accordance with this invention have been described above. In conducting spraying operations according to this invention in one or more of the various stages or locations in an animal carcass processing line, the injectors used to apply the aqueous microbiocidally-effective form composition of this invention to the Animal housing can be fixed or joint injectors. In addition, during the spraying, showering or vaporizing steps used in the practice of this invention, rotating brushes or other ways of increasing the contact between the aqueous microbiocidally-effective composition of this invention and the casing, such as the use of the Ultrasonic energy, can be used. Then the housing can be rinsed with clean water, if deemed necessary or desired. Such rinse water may be fresh or recirculated water, or a combination of both. The recirculated water must be effectively purified of residual impurities from the previous use. It is possible according to a further embodiment of this invention to minimize the amount of wastewater generated in various embodiments that are carried out of this invention. For example, in a system where a plurality of individual suspended carcasses are transported through of the processing line having several processing stations, at least one given station is conditioned with at least one appropriately-placed motion sensor or detector operatively associated with the apparatus to start and stop the flow of the aqueous composition in a manner microbiocidal-effective of this invention to this line station. When the sensor detects that a housing is entering a specified area in that station where the spray, shower, or steam must be applied to the housing, the sensor sends a signal to the start-stop device that rotates on the flow of the aqueous microbiocidally-effective form composition of this invention. This flow can be maintained and then closed by the system in several ways. One way is to flow to the end for a specified period coordinated with the speed of displacement of the carcass through the line at that station so that after a sufficient period of time during which a predetermined amount of spray, shower , or steam has been applied to the housing, the spray, shower, or steam flow automatically stops. Another way is to automatically shut off the flow after a predetermined volume of liquid flow has been sent to the spray, shower, or steam devices. Still another way is for another sensor or motion detector to detect when the housing has advanced to a second position in the station and with that point to the start-stop device to turn off the flow. The sensors or motion detectors can be placed to detect the presence of the housing by themselves. Alternatively they may be placed to detect the presence of an appropriate part of the housing that carries the system such as the traveling carrier for the housing suspension mechanism, or the housing suspension mechanism or a part thereof such as the wire, cable, chain, shackle, or the hook that is held to the suspended housing. Appropriate sensing devices or motion sensors known in the prior art may be adapted for use in the previous mode of wastewater minimization of this invention. The so-called electric eye that detects the presence of a person entering an elevator and causes the elevator doors to remain open or the doors to contract, serves as a commonly encountered detection device. Other different devices are known. See, for example, United States Patent No. 6,623,348. In the practice of this invention in Type II operations, the aqueous microbiocidally-effective form composition of this invention can be applied before and / or during the making of incisions in the housing for the purpose of inspection as well as for evisceration.

Processing Type III This type of processing according to this invention comprises contacting raw meat products and / or processed meat products derived from slaughtered animals, with an aqueous microbiocidal composition formed by the mixture of at least 1, 3- dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin with an aqueous medium to form an aqueous composition in a microbiocidal-effective manner. This contact must occur in one or more appropriate stages before, during and / or after the formation or preparation of such meat and / or raw meat products. The methods of applying an aqueous microbiocidally-effective composition of this invention to the meat and / or raw meat products are the same as described above. In this way, spraying, dipping, bathing, showering or similar operations can be used. Also, at small slaughter sites or meat packing plants, hand sponges or wash cloths may be used to apply the aqueous microbiocidally-effective composition of this invention. The raw meat products and / or the processed meat products or the precursors thereto can be transported by automated conveyor equipment such as conveyor belts in which such products or precursors are carried and transported, or routes, bands, or mobile cables by which such products or precursors are suspended, carried, and transported.

The raw meat that can be contacted with an aqueous microbiocidally-effective composition of this invention which can be in any form typically derived from the carcass of the animal. Non-limiting examples of such raw meat products include (a) cuts of meat such as steaks, chops, ribs, roasts, hams, loin, bacon, and other similar cuts, (b) animal organs such as liver, kidney, gut, chitlins, tongue, and other organs or parts of the organ, and (c) minced raw meat such as minced meat, minced pork, raw meat sausages, and the like. Not limiting examples of the processed meat products that may be contacted with an aqueous microbiocidal-effective composition of this invention include prepared ready-to-eat products, sausages, frankfurters, sliced meats, jerky and / or other products. of processed meat. Preferred raw meat products to which an aqueous microbiocidally-effective composition of this invention is applied include red meat, red meat portions, white meat, and white meat portions. Most preferred is the application of an aqueous microbiocidally-effective composition of this invention to raw red meat (beef) of cattle or to raw white meat (pork) of pigs.

In type III processing, the aqueous microbiocidally-effective form composition of this invention used will be a composition formed by mixing water and at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin microbiocidal agent in an amount in the range from about 0.5 to about 400 ppm (wt / wt). The particular concentration of one or more 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoins used in the formation of such compositions will vary depending on the particular raw meat product and / or the processed meat product that is produced. In many cases such as in the treatment of raw and sliced cuts of meat or sliced meat products, the concentration of the 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin microbiocidal agent used in the formation of the composition used will be at the lower end of this range for example in the range of about 0.5 to about 100 ppm (wt / wt) and in some cases as low as in the range of about 0.5 to about 50 ppm (wt / wt). That is, in many cases the residual bromine in the compositions formed of water and one or more 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoins will be in the range of about 0.5 about 100 ppm (wt / wt) as free bromine, and in some cases it will be as low as in the range of about 0.5 to about 50 ppm (wt / wt) as free bromine.

Reference to the Figures The block diagrams of Figures 1 and 2 illustrate, but do not limit, the invention as applied respectively to cattle and pigs. According to the observation of the processing stages of the cattle represented in Figure 1, and the processing stages of the pigs depicted in Figure 2, there are a series of steps that can typically be used at a large slaughter site of the prior state of the art or a large advanced meat packing plant. It must be understood and appreciated that some of the stages represented can be combined with one or more stages and that some of the stages can be eliminated. On the other hand, some of the represented stages can be carried out in a sequence different from that represented. However, Figures 1 and 2 are considered to illustrate at least some of the ways by which the present invention can be practiced with respect to live animals and their carcasses after slaughter. To a limited extent the processing of the raw meat products according to this invention can also be appreciated from these figures. Returning now to Figure 1, the numbers represent typical steps in which according to this invention, the live animal, the carcass, or parts thereof can be contacted with an aqueous composition in a manner microbiocidal-effective of this invention. In this way, such contact can be carried out as in 10 during the receipt and retention of cattle, and / or during the journey of the live animal to the stunning area as in 12, and / or during stunning as in 14 , and / or during transport of the stunned live animal to the bleeding as in 16. Such contact may also be carried out in one or more of the following stages: before removal of the head and shin as in 18, and / or during the removal of the head and shin as in 20, and / or before removal of the skin as in 22, and / or during removal of the skin as in 24, and / or before evisceration as in 26, and / or during evisceration as in 28. At this point of processing, one of two commonly-used approaches can be used. In one approach, the contact according to this invention can occur in one or more of the following steps: before trimming and washing the casing as in 30A, and / or during trimming and washing the casing as in 32, and / or before cutting and deboning as in 34, and / or during cutting and deboning as in 36, and / or before cooling and cold storage as in 38, and / or during cooling and cold storage as in 40. In the second approach, the contact according to this invention may occur in one or more of the following steps: before cooling as in 30B, and / or during cooling as in 42, and / or before cutting and deboning as in 44, and / or during cutting and boning as in 46, and / or before cold storage as in 48, and / or during cold storage as in 50. It will be noted that according to this invention the contact as depicted in figure 1 can occur in one or more of the stages represented except during bleeding. This represents a preference since contact during bleeding would tend to dilute the blood released from the animal. However, according to this invention, it is possible to carry out the contact during bleeding. Figure 2 illustrates in a manner similar to Figure 1 the steps during the processing of the pigs in which the live animal, the carcass, or parts thereof can be contacted with an aqueous microbiocidally-effective composition of this invention. In this way, such contact can be carried out as in 11 during the receipt and retention of pigs, and / or during the trip of the live animal to the stunning area as in 13, and / or during the stunning as in 15, and / or during the transport of the live animal stunned to the bleeding as in 17. Such contact may also be carried out in one or more of the following stages: before blanching as in 19, and / or during blanching as in 21, and / or before depilating as in 23, and / or during depilation as in 25, and / or before scorching as in 27, and / or before scraping and polishing as in 29, and / or during scraping and polishing as in 31, and / or before evisceration as in 33, and / or during evisceration as in 35, and / or before separating the casing as in 37, and / or during the separation of the casing as in 39, and / or before cooling the casing as in 41, and / or during cooling of the casing. casing as in 43, and / or before cutting and 5 deboning as in 45, and / or during cutting and deboning as in 47, and / or before cold storage as in 49, and / or during cold storage as in 51. It will be noted that according to this invention the contact as depicted in Figure 2 can occur in one or more of the 10 stages represented except for during bleeding and during singeing. The cancellation of contact during exsanguination represents a preference since contact during exsanguination would tend to dilute the blood released from the animal. However, according to this invention, it is possible 15 carry out the contact during the bleeding. In addition, the nullification of the contact during singeing represents another preference as the application of an aqueous solution to the shell during scorching would not be conducive to the ordinary conditions used for the sintering. 20. conduct a singeing operation. However, if the sintering conditions can be devised so that the presence of an aqueous solution does not unduly interfere with a singeing operation, the contact in accordance with this invention can, under such circumstances, 25 be used.

Other Considerations As noted above, one or more aqueous microbiocidally-effective compositions of this invention are used to effectively control the microbial and bacterial contamination of live quadrupedal sacrificial animals, the carcasses of quadruped slaughter animals. , and / or raw meat products and / or processed meat products derived from quadruped slaughter animal carcasses in one or more specified locations in an animal slaughter site or a meat packing plant. Such aqueous microbiocidally-effective compositions of this invention are formed by dissolving one or more 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoins in water. 1,3-Dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoins are preferred in which one of the alkyl groups is a methyl group and the other alkyl group contains in the range of 1 to about 4 carbon atoms. Thus, these preferred biocides comprise 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, 1,3-dibromo-5-ethyl-5-methylhydantoin, 1,3-dibromo-5-n-propyl-5-methylhydantoin, , 3-dibromo-5-isopropyl-5-methylhydantoin, 1,3-dibromo-5-n-butyl-5-methylhydantoin, 1,3-dibromo-5-isobutyl-methylhydantoin, 1,3-dibromo-5-sec -butyl-5-methylhydantoin, 1,3-dibromo-5-tert-butyl-5-methylhydantoin, and mixtures of any of two or more thereof. Of these biocidal agents, 1, 3-dibromo-5-isobutyl-5- methylhydantoin, 1,3-dibromo-5-n-propyl-5-methylhydantoin, and 1,3-dibromo-5-ethyl-5-methylhydantoin, are respectively preferred, more preferred, and even more preferred members of this group from the effectiveness point of view. Of the mixtures of the above biocides that can be used according to this invention, it is preferred to use 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin as one of the components, with a mixture of 1,3-dibromo-5, 5- dimethylhydantoin and 1,3-dibromo-5-ethyl-5-methylhydantoin which is particularly preferred. The most preferred member of this group of microbiocides is 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin. This compound is commercially available under the trade designations XtraBrom®lll microbiocidal and XtraBrom®lllT microbiocidal (Albemarle Corporation). When a mixture of two or more of the above 1, 3-dibromo-5, 5-dyalkylhydantoin biocides is used in accordance with this invention, the individual biocides in the mixture may be in any ratio in relation to one another. Minor ratios of mono-N-bromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin (s) may be present together with 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin (s) but such compositions are not preferred. The methods for producing 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoins are known and reported in the literature. An especially preferred method is described in WO 01/53270 published on July 26, 2001. The 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin (s) used according to this invention can be mixed directly in the water to be used in the different stages or Locations referred to here. For this purpose appropriate delivery devices can be employed to measure the flow of interior water through the device appropriate amounts of the 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin (s) microbiocides. Alternatively, the predetermined amounts of micronized 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin can be added to water in amounts greater than the level of final use, and the resulting concentrate can be further diluted, preferably with stirring, with one or more different amounts of water to form one or more treated water compositions that will be used in the respective stages of the process. Other additives can be used together with the 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin (s) that provided the other additive or additives are non-toxic, are compatible with the aqueous microbiocidal solutions formed by dissolving 1,3-dibromo- 5, 5-dialkylhydantoin (s) in water to form the treated water used in accordance with this invention, and otherwise do not detract from the microbiocidal efficacy of the treated water of no appreciable way. By "together with" means that in most cases the other additive components are fed separately into the water that is used; for example, the other additives, if they are susceptible to oxidation by common oxidants, do not mix directly with undissolved 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin (s). Generally additives are compatible with aqueous hypohalite bleaching solutions such as certain radical cleaners, chelating agents, pH buffering agents, surfactants, detergents, and polymers described in detail, for example, in US Patent No. 6, 506., 718 or other literature published on the object may be used, if desired. It is also possible to use one or more wetting agents, hydrotropes, thickeners, antifoaming agents, and similar functional additives that meet the above criteria. If used, the amount of each appropriate selected additive to be used together with 1, 3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin (s) should be sufficient to provide the property for which it is used. The recommendations of the manufacturers of the other additives are useful as guidelines in this regard. Preferably 1, 3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin or more than 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin is the source that causes the only microbiocidal activity in the aqueous medium dealt with it. However, this invention includes use in the above operations of aqueous media treated with (A) at least 1, 3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin and (B) at least one other microbiocidal agent that produces an adequately stable compatible aqueous microbiocidal composition. In other words, the products of the solution (A) and (B) must be compatible with each one in the aqueous medium when presented in amounts and proportions that provide an aqueous microbiocidal composition. Contact or washing operations when used in accordance with this invention ensure that pathogens such as Listeria, Escherichia, Salmonella, Campilobacter, and others species are effectively controlled, if not essentially eliminated, from the meat product. On the other hand, in the large-scale slaughter quadruped animal processing lines where high performance is essential, the microbiocide of this invention used in these stages or stations is so efficient that it is not necessary to delay the line to give the time to act on the microbiocidal. In this way the processing lines can be operated at conventional speeds, if not at increased speeds. In addition, the waters used in the respective stages or stations can each be treated with appropriate microbiocidal amounts of a given 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin microbiocidal agent, and thus it is possible to use only one-agent through the plant, thus simplifying the aspects of the purchase, storage and inventory of the plant operation. In fact it is possible to use water with the same microbiocidal concentration (in this case, the same residual bromine that results from dissolving in water a given amount one or more 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoins) in the water that goes to each of the multiple stages or locations in the embodiments of this invention wherein an aqueous microbiocidally-effective form composition of this invention is used in more than one stage or location in a processing line. In the practice of various embodiments of this invention, aqueous wash solutions can be used before and, especially after, applying the aqueous microbiocidally-effective composition of this invention to the live animal, animal carcass, raw meat product, and / or the processed meat product. Such aqueous wash solutions may contain any of a variety of useful additional components such as for example sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide, potassium sorbate, sodium bisulfate, lactic acid, sodium metasilicate, acidified sodium chlorite, polypeptide antibiotic such as nisin, or other known components that serve similar functions. The carcass of the animal, the raw meat product, and / or the meat product processed after contact with an aqueous composition of microbiocidal-effective form of this invention and optionally a subsequent washing solution, may be subject to further sterilization operations. Thus, according to another embodiment of this invention, there is provided a method of processing the carcass of a four-legged sacrificial animal and / or of a raw meat product derived from the carcass, and / or processed meat product derived from the casing, of which the method comprises (a) contacting the casing, the raw meat product derived from the casing, and / or the processed meat product derived from the casing at least once with a microbiocidal solution formed of mixing together at least (i) water and (ii) at least 1, 3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin, and (b) attaching the resulting shell, the raw meat product derived from the shell, and / or the processed meat product derived from the casing to at least one decontamination process selected from ionization radiation, UV radiation, microwave, pulsed light, electric fields, hydrostatic pressure, sonication, infrared radiation, ozonation, and washing with ozo do not. Steps (a) and (b) can be carried out in any sequence and / or concurrently. Appropriate methods for determining "residual bromine" are known and reported in the literature. See for example, Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater, 18th Edition, 1992, of the association American Public Health, 1015 Fifteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005 (ISBN 0-87553-207-1), pages 4-36 and 4-37; Hach Water Analysis Handbook, Third Edition, 1997, by Hach Company, Loveland Colorado, especially pages 1206 and 1207; and Handbook of Industrial Water Conditioning, 7th Edition, Betz Laboratories, Inc., Trevose, PA 19047 (Library Library Catalog Number Congress: 76-27257), 1976, pages 24-29. While these references typically refer to "residual chlorine", the same techniques are used to determine the "residual bromine", considering the higher atomic weight of bromine compared to chlorine. The term "residual bromine" refers to the amount of bromine species present in the treated water available for disinfection. The residues can be determined as "free" or "total" depending on the analytical method of the test used. In the present case, the numerical values for the residual bromine have been given here on a free bromine basis. Such values can be monitored by the use of the analytical procedure for "free chlorine" given below. However, if desired, the residual bromine could be monitored on a "total bromine" basis using the analytical procedure for "total chlorine" given below. In any case the numerical values obtained are in terms of chlorine and such values are multiplied by 2.25 to obtain the corresponding bromine values. Typically the values on a "total bromine" basis in a given sample will typically be higher than the values on a "free bromine" basis in the same given sample. The important point to understand is that this invention relates to the residual bromine that is actually present in the treated aqueous medium if the value is determined by the use of the free chlorine test procedure or the total chlorine test procedure, but the Use of the free chlorine test procedure is recommended. A standard test for the determination of low levels of active halogen is known as the DPD test and is based on the classical test procedures devised by Palin in 1974. See AT Palin, "Analytical Control of Water Disinfection With Special Reference to Differrential DPD Methods for Chlorine, Clorhine Dioxide, Bromine, Iodine and Ozone ", J. Inst. Water Eng., 1974, 28, 139. While there are several modernized versions of the Palin procedures, the recommended version of the test is fully described in Hach Water Analysis Handbook, 3rd edition, copyright 1997. The procedure for "total chlorine" (in this case, active chlorine) is identified in that publications as Method 8167 that appears on page 379. Briefly, the "total chlorine" test "involves introducing to the sample of dilute water containing active halogen, a powder comprising powder DPD indicator, (in this case, N, N '-diethyldiphenylenediamine, Kl, and a buffer). The active halogen species present react with Kl to produce iodine species that return the DPD indicator to red / pink. The intensity of the coloration depends on the concentration of the "total chlorine" species (in this case, active chlorine) present in the sample, this intensity is measured by a calibrated colorimeter to transform the intensity reading into a value of " total chlorine "in terms of mg / L Cl2 If the active halogen present is active bromine, the result in terms of mg / L Cl2 is multiplied by 2.25 to express the result in terms of Br2 mg / L Cl2 of active bromine. More detail, the DPD test procedure is as follows: 1. To determine the amount of species present in the water that respond to the "total chlorine" test, the water sample must be analyzed within a few minutes of being taken, and preferably immediately after being taken 2. Hach method 8167 to test the amount of species present in the water sample responding to the "total chlorine" test involves the use of the Hach model 2010 colorimeter. stored number for chlorine determinations is recalled by program click on "80" on the keyboard, followed by setting the wavelength the absorbance at 530 nm by rotating the disc on the side of the instrument. Two identical sample cells are filled to the 10 ml mark with the water under investigation. One of the cells is chosen arbitrarily to be the target. To the second cell, the content of a total DPD chlorine powder pad is added. This is stirred for 10-20 seconds to mix, since the development of a pink-red color indicates the presence of the species in the water that respond positively to the reagent of the DPD test of "total chlorine". On the keyboard, the SHIFT (TIMER) keys are pressed to start a reaction time of three minutes. After three minutes the instrument emits a signal to signal that the reaction is complete. The blank sample cell is supported to the sample chamber of the Hach 2010 model, and the shield is closed to prevent the effects of external light. Then the ZERO key (zero) is pressed. After a few seconds, the screen registers 0.00 mg / L Cl2. Then, the blank sample cell used to zero in the instrument is removed from the cell compartment of the Hach 2010 model and replaced by the test sample to which the DPD reagent of "total chlorine" it was added. The light shield is then closed as it was made for the target, and the READ key is pressed (read). The result, in mg / L Cl2, is displayed on the screen within a few seconds. This is the level of "total chlorine" of the water sample under investigation. It should be noted that the test sample may need to be diluted with halogen which requires free water so that the chlorine measurement is within the measuring range of the instrument. This dilution will need to be considered to determine the actual chlorine level of the sample. 3. One method to measure free chlorine is Hach's 8021 method. These tests for the amount of species present in the water sample that respond to the "free chlorine" test. This test involves the use of the Hach 2010 model colorimeter. The stored program number for chlorine determinations is remembered by typing in "80" on the keyboard, followed by setting the wavelength of the absorbance at 530 nm by rotating the disk on the instrument side. Two identical sample cells are filled to the 10 ml mark with the water under investigation. One of the cells is chosen arbitrarily to be the target. The blank sample cell is taken in to the sample chamber of the Hach 2010 model, and the shield is closed to prevent effects of external light. Then the ZERO key (zero) is pressed. After a few seconds, the screen registers 0.00 mg / L Cl2. Then, the blank sample cell used to zero in the instrument is removed from the cell compartment of the Hach 2010 model. To Second cell, the content of a total DPD chlorine powder pad is added. This is agitated for 10-20 seconds to mix, since the development of a pink-red color indicates the presence of the species in the water that respond positively to the reagent of the DPD test of "free chlorine". Immediately (with one minute of addition of the reagent) place the prepared sample inside a cell holder. The light shield is then closed as it was made for the target, and the READ key is pressed (read). The result, in mg / L Cl2, is displayed on the screen within a few seconds. This is the "free chlorine" level of the water sample under investigation. It should be noted that the test sample may need to be diluted with halogen which requires free water so that the chlorine measurement is within the measuring range of the instrument. This dilution will need to be considered to determine the chlorine level of the sample. A final result achievable by the practice of this invention is that the highly effective minimization of microbiological contamination within the slaughter site or the packing or meat plant can be achieved by minimizing the magnitude at which microbacterial contamination is brought at slaughter sites or at the meat packing plant by live animals on their own. Another final result is that the minimization Highly effective microbiological contamination of the carcass and meat product can be achieved at each of the stages or locations of the animal carcass processing line. Furthermore, the invention allows the provision of a meat product in which the taste, sensory quality, appearance, and health of the product should not be adversely affected in any material way by microbiocidal operations conducted in accordance with this invention. And when conducted correctly, this invention enables the success of a microbial control considerably higher than that achieved with comparable levels of microbiocides previously known for use in the treatment of animal carcasses, such as hypochlorite in water. According to the above, it is vitally important that the method used to effectively control microbial and / or bacterial contamination in the carcasses of animals and parts thereof, does not cause any visible degradation in the quality or properties of the meat of the animals. carcasses, especially in the appearance and taste of meat. The following example demonstrates the ability of this invention to avoid any visible degradation in the quality or properties of meat from the carcasses of quadruped slaughter animals, especially in the appearance and taste of the meat.

EXAMPLE A study was conducted in which the individual samples of raw meat were contacted directly individually with a test substance to determine the effect that each substance had on the quality of the meat. The raw meat used was cow's milk. The test materials were: (a) house bleach (commercially available hypochlorite bleach solution); (b) House-diluted bleach-in water containing 50 ppm as chlorine bleach; (c) 2% aqueous lactic acid solution; and according to this invention, (d) 100 ppm as bromine of 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (DBDMH). The individual samples of beef (approximately 30 grams each) were placed in crystallization plates of 80 mm x 40 mm. Each sample was exposed to 30.0 grams of one of the respective test materials for a period of 5 minutes. The beef samples were not completely immersed in their respective test material. In contrast, the amounts used were such that one side of each sample of the beef was not contacted with its test material. After the 5 minute exposure, the area exposed to the test material was rinsed with deionized water and patted to dry with a paper towel. After several minutes the color of the treated meat was compared to a piece of untreated meat, and also to samples of meat treated with other test materials. The sample of the beef treated with the commercially available house bleach solution was very dark, and the sample of beef treated with the commercially available house bleach solution diluted-in water was slightly darker that the meat not treated. The sample treated with lactic acid from the meat appears to be very similar in color to untreated beef. Surprisingly, the sample of beef treated with the aqueous microbiocidal composition used according to this invention formed of DBDMH and the water was slightly lighter in appearance than the untreated beef. If one considered the oxidation potentials of the test materials used, the following effect would be expected: House bleach > diluted bleach > DBDMH Also, based on the results of the bleach it was expected that the meat treated with DBDMH would darken in appearance instead of becoming slightly lighter in appearance. Compounds referred by chemical name or formula anywhere in this document, if referenced in singular or plural, are identified when they exist before coming into contact with another substance referred to by chemical name or chemical type (for example, another component). , a solvent, or etc.). No matter what the chemical changes, if the There, they occur in the mixture or solution that results, as such changes are the natural result of bringing the specified substances together under the conditions required according to this description. As an example, the phrase "water treated with at least 1, 3-dihalo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin" and phrases of similar importance mean that just before being brought into contact with an aqueous medium such as water, at least one 1, 3-dihalo-5, 5-dialkylhydantoin referred to was the specified, 1,3-dihalo-5, 5-dialkylhydantoin. The phrase in this way does not attempt to suggest or imply that the chemical exists without changing in the water. The transformations that occur are the natural result of bringing these substances together, and thus do not need any further elaboration. Also, even though the claims may refer to substances in the present (for example, "comprises", "is", etc.), the reference is to the substance when it exists in time just before it first comes into contact , combined or mixed with one or more substances according to the present disclosure. Except as may be expressly stated otherwise, the article "a" or "an" if and as used herein is not intended to limit, and should not be construed as limiting, describing or claiming a single element to which the article is refers. Rather, the article "a" or "an" if and as used here is intended to cover one or more elements, unless the text expressly states otherwise. All documents referred to herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as if they were fully set forth in this document. This invention is susceptible to considerable variations within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property: 1. A method of processing a quadruped slaughter animal for consumption as meat and / or meat product (s), characterized in that it comprises: ) contacting the outer surfaces of the live animal at least once with a micribiocidal solution formed by mixing together at least (i) water and (ii) at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin, the contact occurs at least once when the animal is en route to be slaughtered but before being slaughtered for exsanguination; or II) contacting an animal carcass after bleeding, with a solution formed from a mixture together with at least (i) water and (ii) at least one 1,3-dibromo-5, 5- dialkylhydantoin; or III) contacting a raw meat product and / or at least one processed meat product derived from the shell at least once with a microbicidal solution formed by mixing together at least (i) water and (ii) at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin; or IV) perform either, two or all three of I), II), and III). 2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least I) is performed. 3. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least II) is carried out. 4. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least III) is performed. 5. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that any, two or all three of I), II), and III) are performed. 6. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least I) is performed, and wherein the contact in I) is performed at least once in an outer perimeter area of a slaughter site or a plant of meat packaging. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least I) is performed, and wherein the contact in I) is performed at least once in an outer perimeter area of a slaughter site or a plant of meat packaging to minimize the magnitude of microbiocidal contamination that reaches the areas within the slaughter site or meat packing plant where the animal casings are processed. 8. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least I) is performed, and wherein the contact in I) is carried out at least once in one or more areas of a slaughter site or a plant meat packing where processing occurs live animals before bleeding to minimize the magnitude of the microbiocidal contamination that reaches one or more areas within the slaughter site or a meat treatment plant where the carcasses of the animal are processed subsequent to exsanguination. 9. A method according to any of claims 6-8 characterized contact in I) is performed at least once in an area through which the animal passes or is passed while the animal is still alive, and in the zone the contact in I) is effected by showering and / or microbiocidal spraying the external surfaces of the animal with a solution formed of a mixture together with at least (i) water and (ii) at least one, 3- dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin. 10. A method according to claim 9 characterized in that the contact in I) is also effected by making the animal pass, or the passage of the animal, into at least one bath of a microbiocidal solution formed from the mixture together with at least (i) water and (ii) at least one or more 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoins so that at least the hooves and legs of the lower areas of the animal are brought into contact for the microbiocidal solution. 11. A method according to claim 10 characterized in that the animal is passed, or is passed, within the bath before, during, and / or after the animal passes, or is passed, through the area in which the shower and / or spray occurs. 12. A method according to claim 10 characterized in that the animal is passed, or is passed, into the bath during, and / or after the animal passes, or is passed, through the area in which it occurs the shower and / or the spray. 13. A method according to claim 10 characterized in that the animal is passed, or is passed, into the bath after the animal passes, or is passed, through the area in which the shower occurs and / or the spray. 14. A method according to claim 9 characterized in that it is carried out in a portable bath or a spray compartment. 15. A method according to claim 10 characterized in that it is carried out in a portable bath or a spray compartment. 16. A method according to any of claims 1-8, characterized in that the quadruped sacrificial animal is selected from cattle, pigs and sheep. 17. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that the four-legged sacrificial animal is selected from cattle, pigs and sheep. 18. A method according to any of claims 1-8 characterized in that at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin is 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin. 19. A method according to claim 9 characterized in that at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin is 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin. A method according to claim 10 characterized in that at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin comprises 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin. 21. A method according to claim 11 characterized in that at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin comprises 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin. 22. A method according to claim 12, characterized in that at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin comprises 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin. 23. A method according to claim 13 characterized in that at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin comprises 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin. 24. A method according to claim 14 characterized in that at least one 1,3-dibromo-5, 5- dialkylhydantoin comprises 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin. 25. A method according to claim 15 characterized in that at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin comprises 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin. 26. A method according to claim 16 characterized in that at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin comprises 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin. 27. A method according to claim 17 characterized in that at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin comprises 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin. 28. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the quadruped sacrificial animal is selected from cattle, pigs and sheep. 29. A method according to claim 3 characterized in that the contact is at least carried out before and / or during, and / or after removal of the skin from the carapace of an animal from which the skin is removed during processing . 30. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the contact is at least carried out before and / or during the removal of the skin from the housing of a animal from which the skin is removed during processing. 31. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the contact is at least carried out before removal of the skin from the carapace of an animal from which the skin is removed during processing. 32. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the contact is at least carried out before and / or during, and / or after removal of the hair from the carapace of an animal from which the hair is removed during processing. 33. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the contact is at least carried out before and / or during, and / or after removal of the leather from the carapace of an animal from which the leather is removed during processing. 34. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the contact is at least carried out before and / or after removal of the bristles from the housing of an animal from which the bristles are removed during processing. 35. A method according to claim 3 characterized in that the contact is at least carried out during the removal of the bristles from the housing of an animal of which the bristles are removed during processing, by a different scorching method. 36. A method according to claim 3 characterized in that the animal is selected from oxen, heifers, cows, calves, and bulls, and the contact is at least performed one or more times before removal of the head and / or shin and / or at least one or more times during removal of the head and / or shin and / or at least one or more times after removal of the head and / or shin. 37. A method according to any of claims 29-31 characterized in that the animal is selected from oxen, heifers, cows, calves, and bulls. 38. A method according to claim 34 or claim 35 characterized in that the animal is selected from pigs, sows, young sow, young castrated pig, wild boar, and pigs. 39. A method according to claim 28 characterized in that the animal is selected from oxen, heifers, cows, calves, and bulls, and the contact is at least carried out (i) during the separation of the carcass and / or (ii) ) one or more times after the separation of the housing. 40. A method according to claim 28 characterized in that the animal is selected from oxen, heifers, cows, calves, and bulls, and contact at least is performed (i) during the final wash and / or (ii) one or more times after the final wash. 41. A method according to claim 28 characterized in that the animal is selected from oxen, heifers, cows, calves, and bulls, and the contact is at least performed (i) one or more times during cooling and / or ( ii) one or more times after cooling. 42. A method according to claim 41 characterized in that after cooling the contact is at least performed (i) one or more times during the cutting of the carcass and the boning and / or (ii) one or more times after the cutting and boning of the casing. 43. A method according to claim 28 characterized in that the animal is selected from oxen, heifers, cows, calves, and bulls, and the contact is at least performed one or more times during hot boning. 44. A method according to claim 28 characterized in that the animal is selected from pigs, sows, young sow, young castrated pig, wild boar, and pigs, and the contact is at least made before scalding the carcass. 45. A method according to claim 28 characterized in that the animal is selected from pigs, sows, young sow, young castrated pig, wild boar, and pigs, and the contact at least is carried out during and / or one or more times after shearing and / or singeing the shell. 46. A method according to claim 28 characterized in that the animal is selected from pigs, sows, young sow, young castrated pig, wild boar, and pigs, and the contact is at least carried out during and / or one or more times after scraping. and / or polishing the casing. 47. A method according to claim 28 characterized in that the animal is selected from pigs, sows, young sow, young castrated pig, wild boar, and pigs, and the contact is at least carried out during and / or one or more times after of evisceration. 48. A method according to claim 28 characterized in that the animal is selected from pigs, sows, young sow, young castrated pig, wild boar, and pigs, and the contact is at least carried out during and / or one or more times after of the final wash 49. A method according to claim 28 characterized in that the animal is selected from pigs, sows, young sow, young castrated pig, wild boar, and pigs, and the contact is at least made during cooling and / or one or more times after cooling. 50. A method according to claim 28 characterized in that the animal is selected from pigs, sows, young sow, young neutered pig, boar, and pigs, and the contact is at least carried out during the separation and / or with a next step after the separation of the shell. 51. A method according to claim 28 characterized in that the animal is selected from pigs, sows, young sow, young castrated pig, wild boar, and pigs, and the contact is at least performed one or more times during cutting and / or boning of the casing. 52. A method according to any of claims 28-36 or 39-51 characterized in that at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin used in the formation of the microbicidal solution is at least one 1, 3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin in which one of the alkyl groups is a methyl group and the other alkyl group contains in the range of 1 to about 4 carbon atoms. 53. A method according to claim 37 characterized in that at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin used in the formation of the microbicidal solution is at least one 1,3-dibromo-5, 5- dialkylhydantoin in which one of the alkyl groups is a methyl group and the other alkyl group contains in the range of 1 to about 4 carbon atoms. 54. A method according to claim 38 characterized in that at least one 1,3-dibromo-5, 5- dialkylhydantoin used in the formation of the microbicidal solution is at least 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin in which one of the alkyl groups is a methyl group and the other alkyl group contains in the range of 1 to about 4 carbon atoms. 55. A method according to claim 52 characterized in that at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin used in the formation of the microbicidal solution is 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin. 56. A method according to claim 53 characterized in that at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin used in the formation of the microbicidal solution is 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin. 57. A method according to claim 54 characterized in that at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin used in the formation of the microbicidal solution is 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin. 58. A method according to claim 52 characterized in that the microbicidal solution used in the contact has a residual bromine such as Br2 of about 400 ppm or less. 59. A method according to claim 53 characterized in that the microbicidal solution used in the contact has a residual bromine such as Br2 of about 400 ppm or less. 60. A method according to claim 54 characterized in that the microbicidal solution used in the contact has a residual bromine such as Br2 of about 400 ppm or less. 61. A method according to claim 55 characterized in that the microbicidal solution used in the contact has a residual bromine such as Br2 of about 400 ppm or less. 62. A method according to claim 56 characterized in that the microbicidal solution used in the contact has a residual bromine such as Br2 of about 400 ppm or less. 63. A method according to claim 57 characterized in that the one residual bromine is about 400 ppm or less. 64. A method according to claim 58 characterized in that the microbicidal solution in contact has a residual bromine such as Br2 of about 100 ppm or less. 65. A method according to claim 59 characterized in that the residual bromine is about 100 ppm or less. 66. A method according to claim 60 characterized in that the residual bromine is about 100 ppm or less. 67. A method according to claim 61 characterized in that the residual bromine is approximately 100 ppm or less. 68. A method according to claim 62 characterized in that the residual bromine is about 100 ppm or less. 69. A method according to claim 63 characterized in that the residual bromine is about 100 ppm or less. 70. A method of processing at least one raw meat product derived from a carcass of at least one quadruped slaughter animal and / or at least one processed meat product derived from a carcass of at least one quadruped animal. of sacrifice, the method is characterized in that it comprises contacting at least one raw meat product and / or at least one processed meat product at least once with a microbicidal solution formed of a mixture together with at least (i) water and (ii) at least 1, 3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin. 71. A method according to claim 70 characterized in that at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin used in the formation of the microbicidal solution is at least one 1,3-dibromo-5, 5- dimethylhydantoin in which one of the alkyl groups is a methyl group and the other alkyl group contains in the range of 1 to about 4 carbon atoms. 72. A method according to claim 70 characterized in that at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin used in the formation of the microbicidal solution is 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin. 73. A method according to any of claims 70-72 characterized in that the microbicidal solution used in the contact has a residual bromine such as Br2 of about 400 ppm or less. 74. A method according to claim 73 characterized in that the residual bromine as Br2 is in the range of about 0.5 to about 200 ppm. 75. A method according to claim 73 characterized in that the residual bromine as Br2 is in the range of about 0.5 to about 100 ppm. 76. A method according to claim 73 characterized in that the residual bromine as Br2 is in the range of about 0.5 to about 50 ppm. 77. A method according to any of claims 70-72 characterized in that at least one raw meat product is subject to contact. 78. A method according to claim 77 characterized in that at least one raw meat product It is rinsed with water in at least 5 minutes after contact. 79. A method according to claim 78 characterized in that at least one raw meat product is a cut of beef which does not darken with contact. 80. A method of decreasing microbial contamination of a carcass of a quadrupedal sacrificial animal, characterized in that it comprises at least contacting the carcass with an aqueous biocidal composition at least once before, during and / or after removal from the body. the skin, hair, bristles or leather of the carcasses, the composition comprises a microbiocidal-effective product solution of at least 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin and water. 81. A method according to claim 80, characterized in that the contact directly precedes the removal of the skin, hair, bristles or leather from the housing, and optionally is additionally carried out during and / or after removal of the skin or leather from the body. Case. 82. A method according to claim 80, characterized in that the contact is made during the removal of the skin, hair, bristles or leather from the shell, and optionally is additionally performed before and / or after removal of the skin or leather from the body. the housing. 83. A method according to claim 80, characterized in that the contact is made after removal of the skin, hair, bristles or leather from the shell, and optionally is additionally performed before and / or during removal of the skin or leather from the shell . 84. A method according to claim 80, characterized in that the contact is made one or more times but only after removal of the skin, hair, bristles or leather from the shell. 85. A method according to any of claims 1-8 characterized in that at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin in the formation of the microbicidal solution is at least one 1,3-dibromo- 5, 5-dimethylhydantoin in which one of the alkyl groups is a methyl group and the other alkyl group contains in the range of 1 to about 4 carbon atoms. 86. A method of processing a carcass of a four-legged slaughter animal and / or a raw meat product derived from the carcass, and / or processed meat product derived from the carcass, characterized in that it comprises: a) contacting the casing, the raw meat product derived from the casing, and / or processed meat product derived from the casing at least once with a microbiocidal solution formed of a mixture together with at least (i) water and (ii) at least 1, 3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin, and b) subjecting the casing, the raw meat product derived from the casing, and / or processed meat product derived from the casing to at least one decontamination process selected from ionization radiation, UV radiation, microwave, pulsed light , electric fields, hydrostatic pressure, sonication, infrared radiation, ozonation, and ozone washing. a) and b) have not been performed in any sequence and / or concurrently. 87. A method according to claim 86 characterized in that at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin used in the formation of the microbicidal solution is at least one 1,3-dibromo-5, 5- dialkylhydantoin in which one of the alkyl groups is a methyl group and the other alkyl group contains in the range of 1 to about 4 carbon atoms. 88. A method according to claim 86 characterized in that at least one 1,3-dibromo-5, 5-dyalkylhydantoin used in the formation of the microbicidal solution is 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin. 89. A method according to any of claims 86-88 characterized in that the The microbicide solution used in the contact has a residual bromine such as Br2 of about 400 ppm or less. 90. A method according to claim 89 characterized in that the residual bromine as Br2 is in the range of about 0.5 to about 200 ppm. 91. A method according to claim 89 characterized in that the residual bromine as Br2 is in the range of about 0.5 to about 100 ppm. 92. A method according to claim 89 characterized in that the residual bromine as Br2 is in the range of about 0.5 to about 50 ppm.