WO2024028708A1 - Methods for sterilization of cannabis material - Google Patents

Methods for sterilization of cannabis material Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2024028708A1
WO2024028708A1 PCT/IB2023/057631 IB2023057631W WO2024028708A1 WO 2024028708 A1 WO2024028708 A1 WO 2024028708A1 IB 2023057631 W IB2023057631 W IB 2023057631W WO 2024028708 A1 WO2024028708 A1 WO 2024028708A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
plant material
receptacle
duration
applying
relative humidity
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2023/057631
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Aharon Eyal
Daniel Schlesinger
Dana BERNEMAN ZEITOUNI
Original Assignee
Buzzelet Development And Technologies Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Buzzelet Development And Technologies Ltd. filed Critical Buzzelet Development And Technologies Ltd.
Publication of WO2024028708A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024028708A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K36/00—Medicinal preparations of undetermined constitution containing material from algae, lichens, fungi or plants, or derivatives thereof, e.g. traditional herbal medicines
    • A61K36/18—Magnoliophyta (angiosperms)
    • A61K36/185—Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons)
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23B—PRESERVING, e.g. BY CANNING, MEAT, FISH, EGGS, FRUIT, VEGETABLES, EDIBLE SEEDS; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES; THE PRESERVED, RIPENED, OR CANNED PRODUCTS
    • A23B7/00—Preservation or chemical ripening of fruit or vegetables
    • A23B7/005—Preserving by heating
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23B—PRESERVING, e.g. BY CANNING, MEAT, FISH, EGGS, FRUIT, VEGETABLES, EDIBLE SEEDS; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES; THE PRESERVED, RIPENED, OR CANNED PRODUCTS
    • A23B7/00—Preservation or chemical ripening of fruit or vegetables
    • A23B7/005—Preserving by heating
    • A23B7/01—Preserving by heating by irradiation or electric treatment
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
    • A23L3/00—Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general, e.g. pasteurising, sterilising, specially adapted for foods or foodstuffs
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
    • A23L3/00—Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general, e.g. pasteurising, sterilising, specially adapted for foods or foodstuffs
    • A23L3/005—Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general, e.g. pasteurising, sterilising, specially adapted for foods or foodstuffs by heating using irradiation or electric treatment
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23L—FOODS, FOODSTUFFS, OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES A21D OR A23B-A23J; THEIR PREPARATION OR TREATMENT, e.g. COOKING, MODIFICATION OF NUTRITIVE QUALITIES, PHYSICAL TREATMENT; PRESERVATION OF FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS, IN GENERAL
    • A23L3/00—Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general, e.g. pasteurising, sterilising, specially adapted for foods or foodstuffs
    • A23L3/34—Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general, e.g. pasteurising, sterilising, specially adapted for foods or foodstuffs by treatment with chemicals
    • A23L3/3409—Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general, e.g. pasteurising, sterilising, specially adapted for foods or foodstuffs by treatment with chemicals in the form of gases, e.g. fumigation; Compositions or apparatus therefor
    • A23L3/3445—Preservation of foods or foodstuffs, in general, e.g. pasteurising, sterilising, specially adapted for foods or foodstuffs by treatment with chemicals in the form of gases, e.g. fumigation; Compositions or apparatus therefor in a controlled atmosphere comprising other gases in addition to CO2, N2, O2 or H2O
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K2236/00—Isolation or extraction methods of medicinal preparations of undetermined constitution containing material from algae, lichens, fungi or plants, or derivatives thereof, e.g. traditional herbal medicine
    • A61K2236/10—Preparation or pretreatment of starting material

Definitions

  • the field of art to which this invention generally pertains is methods for sterilizing plant material selected from herbs and cannabis plant material, and more specifically to methods for sterilizing at an optimal relative humidity an initial plant material contaminated with at least one species of yeast and/or mold.
  • Material obtained from the cannabis plant can be used for many medicinal or therapeutic applications.
  • Cannabis plant material and herbs require sterilization prior to consumption or storage, particularly in order to remove yeast and mold.
  • fungi of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Rhizopus form mold and are associated with food spoilage and plant diseases.
  • mycelium of a fungus reaches a certain stage of growth, it begins to produce spores (d a -2-30 pm) that function as dispersal units and get them through difficult conditions.
  • Spores can be distributed by air, water or other vehicles (e.g., insects, animals and motors) and contaminate various surfaces. Under favorable environmental conditions (mainly high humidity), mold spores germinate and form new hyphae.
  • Some molds produce allergens, irritants and toxins and can potentially cause health problems such as fevertype symptoms, sneezing, runny nose, red eyes and skin rash, especially in immunocompromised people.
  • health problems such as fevertype symptoms, sneezing, runny nose, red eyes and skin rash, especially in immunocompromised people.
  • Prior art sterilization methods typically involve use of beta- or gammairradiation and cannot be conducted at the post-harvest facility.
  • the harvested cannabis plant material is therefore fully dried, packaged and sent to a second site for sterilization, wherein sterilization of the cannabis plant material is carried out on the material while within the package.
  • the dried cannabis plant material is packaged at the drying site into packages of a size intended for sale, such as 10 g packages, sterilized within these packages and sent for sale as such.
  • the dried cannabis plant material is packaged in larger packages than those intended for sale, such as 1 kg packages, sterilized within these packages and subsequently divided into smaller packages for sale.
  • a method for sterilizing an initial plant material comprising flowers and/or leaves, wherein said plant material is contaminated with at least one species of yeast and/or mold to a total yeast and mold count greater than IxlO 3 colony forming units (CFU) per gram, said method comprising:
  • the present invention relates to methods and systems for sterilizing an initial plant material.
  • Prior art sterilization methods are known to be problematic with regard to certain plants, particularly those used for medicinal or culinary purposes. For example, in the case of cannabis, it is desirable to avoid detachment of the trichomes, such that use of steam sterilization should be avoided.
  • Prior art methods are also known to cause degradation of cannabinoids by oxidation, as well as decarboxylation of cannabinoids which are present in the cannabis flowers in their acid form during heating, as well as resulting in significant loss of terpenes.
  • the present inventors have surprisingly found that fast and effective sterilization of plant material can be achieved at a relative humidity of at least 70% in a closed receptacle such that water loss is minimized.
  • the duration of the sterilization process is sufficiently short such that equilibrium is not reached between the water content of the plant material and the relative humidity within the closed receptacle.
  • the initial relative humidity of the atmosphere in the receptacle is that of the air in the room.
  • moisture may transfer from the atmosphere to the plant material or vice vera.
  • Such water distribution may also be affected by the properties of the specific plant material.
  • plant material may comprise different parts, each of which is affected differently (e.g. trichomes are much more oily than other parts of the cannabis plant).
  • the inventive method enables the temperature and duration of heating to be minimized, thereby avoiding at least some of the deficiencies of prior art methods.
  • the sterilization was found to be particularly effective for an initial plant material having a water content in the range of from about 20 to about 35%wt.
  • cannabisbis refers to a cannabis plant material.
  • the term “cannabis plant material” as used herein refers to a material obtained from at least a part of a plant of the species Cannabis Sativa, such as flowers, leaves and trim.
  • flowers as used herein, is intended to include solitary flowers and inflorescence, wherein the term “inflorescence” refers to a group of flowers arranged on a stem.
  • trim refers to extraneous plant material removed from cannabis flowers or from cannabis inflorescence.
  • the term “sterilizing” refers to a treatment for the reduction of microbial contamination.
  • a method for sterilizing an initial plant material wherein the plant material is contaminated with at least one species of yeast and/or mold to a total yeast and mold count greater than about IxlO 3 colony forming units (CFU) per gram, the method comprising:
  • the method further comprises closing the at least one closable receptacle, wherein providing the relative humidity is carried out prior to, simultaneously with or subsequent to closing the receptacle.
  • the initial plant material comprises the plant material as harvested, in the absence of any post-harvest treatment.
  • the initial plant material includes plant material which has undergone at least one post-harvest treatment, such as drying, trimming, grinding, or combinations thereof.
  • the total yeast and mold count is greater than IxlO 3 colony forming units (CFU) per gram, greater than IxlO 4 , greater than IxlO 5 , greater than IxlO 6 , or even greater than IxlO 7 .
  • CFU colony forming units
  • At least 1%, at least 2%, at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90% or even about 100% of the at least one species of yeast or mold is in spore form.
  • introducing the plant material into the closable receptacle comprises introducing between about 10 gram and about 20 Kg of plant material, such as about 10 gram, about 20 gram, about 30 gram, about 40 gram, about 50 gram, about 100 gram, about 200 gram, about 300 gram, about 400 gram, about 500 gram, about 600 gram, about 700 gram, about 800 gram, about 900 gram, about 1 Kg, about 2 Kg, about 3 Kg, about 4 Kg, about 5 Kg, about 6 Kg, about 7 Kg, about 8 Kg, about 9 Kg, about 10 Kg, about 11 Kg, about 12 Kg, about 13 Kg, about 14 Kg, about 15 Kg, about 16 Kg, about 17 Kg, about 18 Kg, about 19 Kg or about 20 Kg- [0037] According to some embodiments, there is provided in the at least one closable receptacle a relative humidity of about 70%, about 75%,
  • heat is applied to the closable receptacle for a duration of about 0.5 minutes, about 1 minute, about 2 minutes, about 5 minutes, about 10 minutes, about 15 minutes, about 20 minutes, about 25 minutes, about 30 minutes, about 35 minutes, about 40 minutes, about 45 minutes, about 50 minutes, about 55 minutes or even about 60 minutes.
  • the relative humidity in the closed receptacle is maintained within the range of between about 70% about 100% by addition of water.
  • the initial plant material comprises flowers, fractions thereof, and/or leaves of cannabis and/or of at least one herb.
  • the fractions of flowers comprise separated trichomes.
  • the initial plant material comprises at least about 5%wt cannabinoids, such as about 5%wt, about 10%wt, about 15%wt, about 20%wt, about 25%wt, about 30%wt, about 35%wt, about 40%wt, about 45%wt, about 50%wt, about 55%wt or about 60%wt.
  • At least about 50%wt (such as about 50wt%, about 55wt%, about 60wt%, about 65wt%, about 70wt%, about 75wt%, about 80wt%, about 85wt%, about 90wt%, about 95wt% or about 100wt%) of the cannabinoids are in their acid form and less than about 20% (such about 19%, about 15%, about 12%, about 10%, about 5%, about 2%, about 1% or less than about 1%) of the cannabinoids in acid form are decarboxylated.
  • the heat applied and the duration are selected so that less than about 20% of the cannabinoids in acid form are decarboxylated.
  • the heat applied and the duration are selected so that a total terpene loss is less than about 20%, less than about 15%, less than about 10%, less than about 5%, or even less than about 1%.
  • applying heat comprises applying radio frequency.
  • the initial plant material has a water content of from about 20wt% to about 35wt%, such as about 20wt%, about 25wt%, about 30wt% or about 35wt%.
  • providing the relative humidity comprises adjusting the water content of the initial plant material to form from about 20wt% to about 35wt%, such as to about 20wt%, about 25wt%, about 30wt% or about 35wt%.
  • the heat applied and the duration are selected so that the sterilized plant material has a reduction in total yeast and mold colony forming units (CFU) per gram of at least 2 orders of magnitude (such as 2 orders, 3 orders, 4 order, 5 orders of magnitude or 6 orders of magnitude) as compared to that of the initial plant material.
  • CFU colony forming units
  • the applied heat is selected so as to bring the plant material to a temperature of from about 60°C to about 90°C, such as about 60°C, about 65°C, about 70°C, about 75°C, about 80°C, about 85°C or about 90°C.
  • applying the radio frequency provides a temperature of about 75°C.
  • applying the radio frequency is performed while applying a temperature of about 75°C.
  • a temperature of about 75°C is applied for a duration of between about 10 minutes and 20 minutes.
  • a temperature of about 80°C is applied for a duration of between about 2 minutes and 7 minutes.
  • the closable receptacle is any receptacle of suitable size to contain therein the required amount of plant material and configured to be open for receiving therein the plant material, and subsequently closed with the plant material within.
  • the closable receptacle is reversibly closable, i.e. configured for being opened and closed multiple times, e.g. by use of a lid, cap, stopper, tie, reversible zipper fastening.
  • the closable receptacle is not reversibly closable, i.e. may be closed once and subsequently broken or torn to remove plant material contained therein.
  • the closable receptacle is selected from the group consisting of a box, bag (such as a nylon or plastic cook-in bag), pouch, or the like.
  • the closable receptacle comprises an aperture, preferably having a reversible closure (such as a lid, cap, stopper, flap or the like), said aperture configured for insertion therein of a temperature probe.
  • a reversible closure such as a lid, cap, stopper, flap or the like
  • the closable receptacle is not hermetically sealed.
  • the method further comprises drying the sterilized plant material to provide a dried sterilized plant material having a water content of less than about 14%wt, optionally between about 8%wt and about 12%wt, such as about 8%wt, about 9%wt, about 10%wt, about l l%wt, or about 12%wt.
  • the method further comprises storing the dried sterilized plant material for at least about 4 weeks, such as about 4 weeks, about 6 weeks, about 2 months, about 3 months, about 4 months, about 5 months, about 6 months, about 7 months, about 8 months, about 9 months, about 10 months, about 11 months, about 1 year or even greater than 1 year.
  • storing is carried out in an environment comprising at least about 85% nitrogen gas, such as about 85%, about 90%, about 95% or even about 100% nitrogen gas.
  • an atmosphere within said receptacle comprises at least about 75% nitrogen, such as about 80%, about 85%, or even about 90% nitrogen.
  • the method further comprises adding water to the at least one closable receptacle prior to or during applying radio frequency to provide and/or maintain the relative humidity of between about 70% about 100%, such as about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 95% or about 100%.
  • the method further comprises removing water from plant material in order to bring the water content to between about 20%wt and about 35%wt, such as about 20wt%, about 22wt%, about 24wt%, about 26wt%, about 28wt%, about 30wt%, about 32wt%, about 34wt% or about 35wt%.
  • the method further comprises adding water to plant material in order to bring the water content to between about 20%wt and about 35%wt, such as about 20wt%, about 22wt%, about 24wt%, about 26wt%, about 28wt%, about 30wt%, about 32wt%, about 34wt% or about 35wt%.
  • the method further comprises applying a second means of sterilization during storing.
  • the second means of sterilization is the same as the first means of sterilization.
  • the second means of sterilization is different from the first means of sterilization.
  • the second means of sterilization is selected from the group consisting of applying an oxidant to the storing environment, adding a terpene to the storing environment, ionization of the storing environment, ultraviolet treatment of the storing environment and combinations thereof.
  • the oxidant is selected from the group consisting of ozone and hydrogen peroxide, or a combination thereof.
  • the terpene is selected from the group consisting of pinene, limonene, linalool, caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, myrcene, humulene, borneol, eucalyptol, terpineol, nerolidol, phytol, geraniol, bisabolol, camphene, amyrin, thujone, citronellol, pulegone, cycloartenol, cymene, sabinene, carene, terpinene, fenchol, isopulegol, guaiol, phellandrene, eudesmol, ocimene, cardinol, elemene, friedelin, carvacrol, eugenol, camphor, menthol, iso-menthone, neral, gerial, viridiflorol
  • the second means of sterilization is applied for a duration of at least 2 days, such as 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, 10 days, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, one month, two months or 3 months.
  • the subsequent THMC was determined as 250 CFU/gram.
  • the subsequent TYMC was determined as less than 100 CFU/gram.
  • the log reduction was R>4.4, indicating that a significant decrease in the TYMC was achieved.
  • Cannabinoid concentrations were determined on a dry matter basis. Results are presented in Table 1 below. In total THC, THCA content is converted to THC via multiplying by a factor of 0.88. The results show that the degree of decarboxylation was increased only slightly during this treatment that reduced TYMC by more than 4 orders of magnitude.
  • Example 4 comparative example, not in a closable receptacle
  • CFU/gram were spread in a thin layer on tin foil.
  • the tin foil with the material was placed in a pre-heated oven for 15 minutes at 75°C.
  • the subsequent TYMC was determined as 2*10 6 CFU/gram.
  • Example 5 comparative example, not in a closable receptacle
  • CFU/gram were spread in a thin layer on tin foil.
  • the tin foil with the material was placed in a pre-heated oven for 30 minutes at 75°C.
  • the subsequent TYMC was determined as 2.3* 10 5 CFU/gram.
  • the subsequent TYMC was determined as l*10 5 .

Abstract

Provided is a method for sterilizing an initial plant material wherein the plant material is contaminated with at least one species of yeast and/or mold to a total yeast and mold count greater than 1x103 colony forming units (CFU) per gram, the method comprising introducing the plant material into at least one closable receptacle; providing in the at least one closable receptacle a relative humidity within a range of between about 70% about 100%; and applying heat to the receptacle for a duration of between about 0.5 minutes and about 60 minutes, while maintaining the relative humidity within the range for at least a portion of the duration, to provide sterilized plant material.

Description

METHODS FOR STERILIZATION OF CANNABIS MATERIAL
Field of the Invention
[001] The field of art to which this invention generally pertains is methods for sterilizing plant material selected from herbs and cannabis plant material, and more specifically to methods for sterilizing at an optimal relative humidity an initial plant material contaminated with at least one species of yeast and/or mold.
Background of the invention
[002] Material obtained from the cannabis plant can be used for many medicinal or therapeutic applications.
[003] The use of a large variety of herbs has been known for thousands of years to add flavor to food, as well as for numerous medicinal purposes.
[004] Cannabis plant material and herbs require sterilization prior to consumption or storage, particularly in order to remove yeast and mold. For example, it is known that fungi of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Rhizopus form mold and are associated with food spoilage and plant diseases. When the mycelium of a fungus reaches a certain stage of growth, it begins to produce spores (da -2-30 pm) that function as dispersal units and get them through difficult conditions. Spores can be distributed by air, water or other vehicles (e.g., insects, animals and motors) and contaminate various surfaces. Under favorable environmental conditions (mainly high humidity), mold spores germinate and form new hyphae. Some molds produce allergens, irritants and toxins and can potentially cause health problems such as fevertype symptoms, sneezing, runny nose, red eyes and skin rash, especially in immunocompromised people. Thus, in the food, medical and pharma industry sectors, their presence and development can have health and economic implications. These health implications might become severe for medical cannabis users of various health conditions.
[005] Prior art sterilization methods typically involve use of beta- or gammairradiation and cannot be conducted at the post-harvest facility. The harvested cannabis plant material is therefore fully dried, packaged and sent to a second site for sterilization, wherein sterilization of the cannabis plant material is carried out on the material while within the package. In some cases, the dried cannabis plant material is packaged at the drying site into packages of a size intended for sale, such as 10 g packages, sterilized within these packages and sent for sale as such. Alternatively, in some cases, the dried cannabis plant material is packaged in larger packages than those intended for sale, such as 1 kg packages, sterilized within these packages and subsequently divided into smaller packages for sale.
[006] Such two-site operations require complex logistics, including transportation of the cannabis plant material. Additionally, during sterilization, loss of active components occurs, possibly due to the fact that the plant material is quite dry and is therefore susceptible to trichomes. Moreover, prior art methods of sterilization of herbs frequently result in a significant loss of aroma and flavor.
[007] There exists a need for improved methods of sterilizing material obtained from the cannabis plant which overcome at least some of the limitations of the prior art.
Summary of the invention
[008] According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method for sterilizing an initial plant material comprising flowers and/or leaves, wherein said plant material is contaminated with at least one species of yeast and/or mold to a total yeast and mold count greater than IxlO3 colony forming units (CFU) per gram, said method comprising:
(i) introducing said plant material into at least one closable receptacle;
(ii) providing in said at least one closable receptacle a relative humidity within a range of between about 70% about 100%; and
(iii) applying heat to said receptacle for a duration of between about 0.5 minutes and about 60 minutes, while maintaining said relative humidity within said range for at least a portion of said duration, to provide sterilized plant material.
Detailed description of the invention
[009] The present invention relates to methods and systems for sterilizing an initial plant material. [ooio] Prior art sterilization methods are known to be problematic with regard to certain plants, particularly those used for medicinal or culinary purposes. For example, in the case of cannabis, it is desirable to avoid detachment of the trichomes, such that use of steam sterilization should be avoided.
[0011] Prior art methods are also known to cause degradation of cannabinoids by oxidation, as well as decarboxylation of cannabinoids which are present in the cannabis flowers in their acid form during heating, as well as resulting in significant loss of terpenes.
[0012] The present inventors have surprisingly found that fast and effective sterilization of plant material can be achieved at a relative humidity of at least 70% in a closed receptacle such that water loss is minimized.
[0013] The duration of the sterilization process is sufficiently short such that equilibrium is not reached between the water content of the plant material and the relative humidity within the closed receptacle. The initial relative humidity of the atmosphere in the receptacle is that of the air in the room. On closing the receptacle, moisture may transfer from the atmosphere to the plant material or vice vera. Such water distribution may also be affected by the properties of the specific plant material. For example, plant material may comprise different parts, each of which is affected differently (e.g. trichomes are much more oily than other parts of the cannabis plant).
[0014] The inventive method enables the temperature and duration of heating to be minimized, thereby avoiding at least some of the deficiencies of prior art methods.
[0015] The sterilization was found to be particularly effective for an initial plant material having a water content in the range of from about 20 to about 35%wt.
[0016] The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the various embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. [0017] The present invention will now be described by reference to more detailed embodiments. This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
[0018] The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.
[0019] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.
[0020] As used herein, the term “cannabis” refers to a cannabis plant material.
[0021] Unless indicated otherwise, the term “cannabis plant material” as used herein refers to a material obtained from at least a part of a plant of the species Cannabis Sativa, such as flowers, leaves and trim.
[0022] The term “flowers”, as used herein, is intended to include solitary flowers and inflorescence, wherein the term “inflorescence” refers to a group of flowers arranged on a stem.
[0023] The term “trim”, as used herein, refers to extraneous plant material removed from cannabis flowers or from cannabis inflorescence.
[0024] As used herein the term “sterilizing” refers to a treatment for the reduction of microbial contamination.
[0025] As used in the description of the invention and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
[0026] As used herein, the terms “comprising”, “including”, "having" and grammatical variants thereof are to be taken as specifying the stated features, integers, steps or components but do not preclude the addition of one or more additional features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. These terms encompass the terms "consisting of' and "consisting essentially of'. As used herein, the terms “water content” and “moisture content” are used interchangeably. [0027] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should be construed in light of the number of significant digits and ordinary rounding approaches. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Every numerical range given throughout this specification will include every narrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein.
[0028] As used herein, when a numerical value is preceded by the term "about", the term "about" is intended to indicate +/- 10% of that value.
[0029] Unless indicated otherwise, percent is weight percent and ratio is weight/weight ratio.
[0030] Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
[0031] According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method for sterilizing an initial plant material, wherein the plant material is contaminated with at least one species of yeast and/or mold to a total yeast and mold count greater than about IxlO3 colony forming units (CFU) per gram, the method comprising:
(i) introducing the plant material into at least one closable receptacle; (ii) providing in the at least one closable receptacle a relative humidity within a range of between about 70% about 100%; and
(iii) applying heat to the closable receptacle for a duration of between about 0.5 minutes and about 60 minutes, while maintaining the relative humidity within the range for at least a portion of the duration, to provide sterilized plant material.
[0032] According to some embodiments, the method further comprises closing the at least one closable receptacle, wherein providing the relative humidity is carried out prior to, simultaneously with or subsequent to closing the receptacle.
[0033] According to some embodiments, the initial plant material comprises the plant material as harvested, in the absence of any post-harvest treatment. According to some embodiments, the initial plant material includes plant material which has undergone at least one post-harvest treatment, such as drying, trimming, grinding, or combinations thereof.
[0034] According to some embodiments, the total yeast and mold count is greater than IxlO3 colony forming units (CFU) per gram, greater than IxlO4, greater than IxlO5, greater than IxlO6, or even greater than IxlO7.
[0035] According to some embodiments, at least 1%, at least 2%, at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90% or even about 100% of the at least one species of yeast or mold is in spore form.
[0036] According to some embodiments, introducing the plant material into the closable receptacle comprises introducing between about 10 gram and about 20 Kg of plant material, such as about 10 gram, about 20 gram, about 30 gram, about 40 gram, about 50 gram, about 100 gram, about 200 gram, about 300 gram, about 400 gram, about 500 gram, about 600 gram, about 700 gram, about 800 gram, about 900 gram, about 1 Kg, about 2 Kg, about 3 Kg, about 4 Kg, about 5 Kg, about 6 Kg, about 7 Kg, about 8 Kg, about 9 Kg, about 10 Kg, about 11 Kg, about 12 Kg, about 13 Kg, about 14 Kg, about 15 Kg, about 16 Kg, about 17 Kg, about 18 Kg, about 19 Kg or about 20 Kg- [0037] According to some embodiments, there is provided in the at least one closable receptacle a relative humidity of about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 95% or even about 100%.
[0038] According to some embodiments, heat is applied to the closable receptacle for a duration of about 0.5 minutes, about 1 minute, about 2 minutes, about 5 minutes, about 10 minutes, about 15 minutes, about 20 minutes, about 25 minutes, about 30 minutes, about 35 minutes, about 40 minutes, about 45 minutes, about 50 minutes, about 55 minutes or even about 60 minutes.
[0039] According to some embodiments, the relative humidity in the closed receptacle is maintained within the range of between about 70% about 100% by addition of water.
[0040] According to some embodiments, the initial plant material comprises flowers, fractions thereof, and/or leaves of cannabis and/or of at least one herb. According to some embodiments, the fractions of flowers comprise separated trichomes.
[0041] According to some embodiments, the initial plant material comprises at least about 5%wt cannabinoids, such as about 5%wt, about 10%wt, about 15%wt, about 20%wt, about 25%wt, about 30%wt, about 35%wt, about 40%wt, about 45%wt, about 50%wt, about 55%wt or about 60%wt.
[0042] According to some embodiments, at least about 50%wt (such as about 50wt%, about 55wt%, about 60wt%, about 65wt%, about 70wt%, about 75wt%, about 80wt%, about 85wt%, about 90wt%, about 95wt% or about 100wt%) of the cannabinoids are in their acid form and less than about 20% (such about 19%, about 15%, about 12%, about 10%, about 5%, about 2%, about 1% or less than about 1%) of the cannabinoids in acid form are decarboxylated. According to some such embodiments, the heat applied and the duration are selected so that less than about 20% of the cannabinoids in acid form are decarboxylated.
[0043] According to some embodiments, wherein the initial plant material comprises at least 0.5% wt of at least one terpene, the heat applied and the duration are selected so that a total terpene loss is less than about 20%, less than about 15%, less than about 10%, less than about 5%, or even less than about 1%. [0044] According to some embodiments, applying heat comprises applying radio frequency.
[0045] According to some embodiments, the initial plant material has a water content of from about 20wt% to about 35wt%, such as about 20wt%, about 25wt%, about 30wt% or about 35wt%.
[0046] According to some embodiments, providing the relative humidity comprises adjusting the water content of the initial plant material to form from about 20wt% to about 35wt%, such as to about 20wt%, about 25wt%, about 30wt% or about 35wt%.
[0047] According to some embodiments, the heat applied and the duration are selected so that the sterilized plant material has a reduction in total yeast and mold colony forming units (CFU) per gram of at least 2 orders of magnitude (such as 2 orders, 3 orders, 4 order, 5 orders of magnitude or 6 orders of magnitude) as compared to that of the initial plant material.
[0048] According to some embodiments, the applied heat is selected so as to bring the plant material to a temperature of from about 60°C to about 90°C, such as about 60°C, about 65°C, about 70°C, about 75°C, about 80°C, about 85°C or about 90°C.
[0049] According to some embodiments, applying the radio frequency provides a temperature of about 75°C.
[0050] According to some embodiments, applying the radio frequency is performed while applying a temperature of about 75°C.
[0051] According to an embodiment, a temperature of about 75°C is applied for a duration of between about 10 minutes and 20 minutes.
[0052] According to another embodiment, a temperature of about 80°C is applied for a duration of between about 2 minutes and 7 minutes.
[0053] According to some embodiments, the closable receptacle is any receptacle of suitable size to contain therein the required amount of plant material and configured to be open for receiving therein the plant material, and subsequently closed with the plant material within. According to some embodiments, the closable receptacle is reversibly closable, i.e. configured for being opened and closed multiple times, e.g. by use of a lid, cap, stopper, tie, reversible zipper fastening. According to some embodiments, the closable receptacle is not reversibly closable, i.e. may be closed once and subsequently broken or torn to remove plant material contained therein. According to some embodiments, the closable receptacle is selected from the group consisting of a box, bag (such as a nylon or plastic cook-in bag), pouch, or the like.
[0054] According to some embodiments, the closable receptacle comprises an aperture, preferably having a reversible closure (such as a lid, cap, stopper, flap or the like), said aperture configured for insertion therein of a temperature probe. According to some embodiments, the closable receptacle is not hermetically sealed.
[0055] According to some embodiments, the method further comprises drying the sterilized plant material to provide a dried sterilized plant material having a water content of less than about 14%wt, optionally between about 8%wt and about 12%wt, such as about 8%wt, about 9%wt, about 10%wt, about l l%wt, or about 12%wt.
[0056] According to some embodiments, the method further comprises storing the dried sterilized plant material for at least about 4 weeks, such as about 4 weeks, about 6 weeks, about 2 months, about 3 months, about 4 months, about 5 months, about 6 months, about 7 months, about 8 months, about 9 months, about 10 months, about 11 months, about 1 year or even greater than 1 year.
[0057] According to some embodiments, storing is carried out in an environment comprising at least about 85% nitrogen gas, such as about 85%, about 90%, about 95% or even about 100% nitrogen gas.
[0058] According to some embodiments, an atmosphere within said receptacle comprises at least about 75% nitrogen, such as about 80%, about 85%, or even about 90% nitrogen.
[0059] According to some embodiments, the method further comprises adding water to the at least one closable receptacle prior to or during applying radio frequency to provide and/or maintain the relative humidity of between about 70% about 100%, such as about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 95% or about 100%.
[0060] According to some embodiments, the method further comprises removing water from plant material in order to bring the water content to between about 20%wt and about 35%wt, such as about 20wt%, about 22wt%, about 24wt%, about 26wt%, about 28wt%, about 30wt%, about 32wt%, about 34wt% or about 35wt%. [0061] According to some embodiments, the method further comprises adding water to plant material in order to bring the water content to between about 20%wt and about 35%wt, such as about 20wt%, about 22wt%, about 24wt%, about 26wt%, about 28wt%, about 30wt%, about 32wt%, about 34wt% or about 35wt%.
[0062] According to some embodiments, the method further comprises applying a second means of sterilization during storing. According to some embodiments, the second means of sterilization is the same as the first means of sterilization. According to some such embodiments, the second means of sterilization is different from the first means of sterilization.
[0063] According to some embodiments, the second means of sterilization is selected from the group consisting of applying an oxidant to the storing environment, adding a terpene to the storing environment, ionization of the storing environment, ultraviolet treatment of the storing environment and combinations thereof.
[0064] According to some embodiments, the oxidant is selected from the group consisting of ozone and hydrogen peroxide, or a combination thereof.
[0065] According to some embodiments, the terpene is selected from the group consisting of pinene, limonene, linalool, caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, myrcene, humulene, borneol, eucalyptol, terpineol, nerolidol, phytol, geraniol, bisabolol, camphene, amyrin, thujone, citronellol, pulegone, cycloartenol, cymene, sabinene, carene, terpinene, fenchol, isopulegol, guaiol, phellandrene, eudesmol, ocimene, cardinol, elemene, friedelin, carvacrol, eugenol, camphor, menthol, iso-menthone, neral, gerial, viridiflorol, germacrene, thymol, Menth-2-en-l-ol, farensol, carotol, myrtenol and combinations thereof.
[0066] According to some embodiments, the second means of sterilization is applied for a duration of at least 2 days, such as 2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, 10 days, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, one month, two months or 3 months.
[0067] The scope of the invention shall include all modifications and variations that may fall within the scope of the attached claims. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the claimed embodiments. Examples
Example 1
[0068] 15 grams of ground contaminated cannabis flowers (total combined yeast and molds count (TYMC) = 2.5* 106 CFU/gram) were inserted into a 1 -liter glass bottle with relative humidity (RH) of 91%. The bottle was closed and then placed in a preheated oven for 15 minutes at 75°C.The subsequent TYMC was determined as CFU/gram. The log reduction was ?=4.2, indicating that a significant decrease in the TYMC was achieved.
Example 2
[0069] 15 grams of ground contaminated cannabis flowers (TYMC = 2.5* 106
CFU/gram) were inserted into a small baking cookie bag with RH of 82%. The bag was closed and then placed in a pre-heated oven for 15 minutes at 75 °C.
[0070] The subsequent THMC was determined as 250 CFU/gram. The log reduction was R=4, indicating that a significant decrease in the TYMC was achieved.
Example 3
[0071] 1 Kg of contaminated cannabis inflorescences (TYMC = 2.5* 106
CFU/gram) were inserted into a box with RH of 84%. The box was closed and the material was then heated for 15 min at 75°C by using a radio frequency device.
[0072] The subsequent TYMC was determined as less than 100 CFU/gram. The log reduction was R>4.4, indicating that a significant decrease in the TYMC was achieved.
[0073] Cannabinoid concentrations were determined on a dry matter basis. Results are presented in Table 1 below. In total THC, THCA content is converted to THC via multiplying by a factor of 0.88. The results show that the degree of decarboxylation was increased only slightly during this treatment that reduced TYMC by more than 4 orders of magnitude.
Figure imgf000013_0001
Table 1
[0074] Terpene concentrations were determined on a dry matter basis. Results are presented in Table 2 below. The results show that terpene loss during the treatment was minimal.
Figure imgf000013_0002
Table 2
Example 4 - comparative example, not in a closable receptacle
[0075] 15 grams of ground contaminated cannabis flowers (TYMC = 2.5* 106
CFU/gram) were spread in a thin layer on tin foil. The tin foil with the material was placed in a pre-heated oven for 15 minutes at 75°C.
[0076] The subsequent TYMC was determined as 2*106 CFU/gram. The log reduction was R=Q.1, indicating that almost no sterilization occurred when the cannabis was not in a closed receptacle.
Example 5 - comparative example, not in a closable receptacle
[0077] 15 grams of ground contaminated cannabis flowers (TYMC = 2.5* 106
CFU/gram) were spread in a thin layer on tin foil. The tin foil with the material was placed in a pre-heated oven for 30 minutes at 75°C.
[0078] The subsequent TYMC was determined as 2.3* 105 CFU/gram. The log reduction was / = 1 .04, indicating insufficient sterilization even during 30 minutes at 75°C when the cannabis was not in a closed receptacle. Example 6 - comparative example at low RH
[0079] 15 grams of contaminated inflorescences (TYMC= 6*105 CFU/gram) were inserted into a 1 -liter glass bottle with RH of 60%. The bottle was closed and then placed in a pre-heated oven for 15 minutes at 75°C.
[0080] The subsequent TYMC was determined as l*105. The log reduction was R=0.79, indicating insufficient sterilization in a closed receptacle at too low relative humidity.

Claims

1. A method for sterilizing an initial plant material, wherein said plant material is contaminated with at least one species of yeast and/or mold to a total yeast and mold count greater than IxlO3 colony forming units (CFU) per gram, said method comprising:
(i) introducing said plant material into at least one closable receptacle;
(ii) providing in said at least one closable receptacle a relative humidity within a range of between about 70% about 100%; and
(iii) applying heat to said receptacle for a duration of between about 0.5 minutes and about 60 minutes, while maintaining said relative humidity within said range for at least a portion of said duration, to provide sterilized plant material.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising closing said at least one closable receptacle, wherein said providing said relative humidity is carried out prior to, simultaneously with or subsequent to said closing said receptacle.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least 1% of said at least one species of mold or yeast is in spore form.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein said introducing said plant material into said at least one closable receptacle comprises introducing between 10 gram and 20 Kg of said plant material.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein said initial plant material comprises flowers, fractions thereof and/or leaves of cannabis and/or of at least one herb.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein said initial plant material comprises at least 5%wt cannabinoids.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least 50% wt of the cannabinoids are in their acid form and wherein said heat applied and said duration are selected so that less than 20% of the cannabinoids in acid form are decarboxylated.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein said initial plant material comprises at least 0.5% wt of at least one terpene and wherein said heat applied and said duration are selected so that a total terpene loss is less than 20%.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein said applying heat comprises applying radio frequency.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein said initial plant material has a water content of from about 20wt% to about 35wt%.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein said providing said relative humidity comprises adjusting the water content of said initial plant material to from about 20wt% to about 35wt%.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein said heat applied and said duration are selected so that said sterilized plant material has a reduction in total yeast and mold colony forming units (CFU) per gram of at least 2 orders of magnitude as compared to that of the initial plant material.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein said applied heat is selected to bring the plant material to a temperature of from about 60°C to about 90°C.
14. The method of claim 9, wherein said applying radio frequency provides a temperature of about 75°C.
15. The method of claim 9 wherein said applying radio frequency is performed while applying a temperature of about 75°C.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein said closable receptacle comprises an aperture having a reversible closure, said aperture configured for insertion therein of a temperature probe.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein an atmosphere within said receptacle comprises at least 75% nitrogen.
18. The method of claim 1, further comprising adding water to said at least one closable receptacle prior to or during said applying radio frequency to provide and/or maintain said relative humidity of between about 70% about 100%.
19. The method of claim 11 , further comprising removing water from plant material in order to bring said water content to between about 20%wt and about 35%wt.
20. The method of claim 11, further comprising adding water to said plant material in order to bring said water content to between about 20%wt and about 35%wt.
21. The method of claim 1, further comprising drying said sterilized plant material to provide a dried sterilized plant material having a water content of between 8%wt and 12%wt.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising storing said dried sterilized plant material for at least 4 weeks.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein said storing is carried out in an environment comprising at least 85% nitrogen gas.
24. The method of claim 22, further comprising applying a second means of sterilization during said storing.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein said applying said second means of sterilization is for a duration of at least 2 days.
26. The method of claim 24, wherein said second means of sterilization is selected from the group consisting of adding an oxidant to said storing environment, adding a terpene to said storing environment, ionization of said storing environment, ultraviolet treatment of said storing environment, and combinations thereof.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein said oxidant is selected from the group consisting of ozone and hydrogen peroxide.
28. The method of claim 26, wherein said terpene is selected from the group consisting of pinene, limonene, linalool, caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, myrcene, humulene, borneol, eucalyptol, terpineol, nerolidol, phytol, geraniol, bisabolol, camphene, amyrin, thujone, citronellol, pulegone, cycloartenol, cymene, sabinene, carene, terpinene, fenchol, isopulegol, guaiol, phellandrene, eudesmol, ocimene, cardinol, elemene, friedelin, carvacrol, eugenol, camphor, menthol, iso-menthone, neral, gerial, viridiflorol, germacrene, thymol, Menth-2-en-l-ol, farensol, carotol, myrtenol and combinations thereof.
PCT/IB2023/057631 2022-07-31 2023-07-27 Methods for sterilization of cannabis material WO2024028708A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US202263393925P 2022-07-31 2022-07-31
US63/393,925 2022-07-31

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2024028708A1 true WO2024028708A1 (en) 2024-02-08

Family

ID=89848774

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2023/057631 WO2024028708A1 (en) 2022-07-31 2023-07-27 Methods for sterilization of cannabis material

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2024028708A1 (en)

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2020217152A1 (en) * 2019-04-21 2020-10-29 Buzzelet Development And Technologies Ltd. Methods for drying and sterilization of cannabis material

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2020217152A1 (en) * 2019-04-21 2020-10-29 Buzzelet Development And Technologies Ltd. Methods for drying and sterilization of cannabis material

Non-Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
DE MATOS CASTRO SILVA DULCILENA; DE LUCA ITO RAQUEL KEIKO; BONFIETTI LUCAS XAVIER; SZESZS MARIA WALDEREZ; ROCHA ARTUR LUIZ; VIOLA : "Antifungal and Antibacterial Activity of Terpenes for Improvement of Indoor Air Quality", CURRENT FUNGAL INFECTION REPORTS, SPRINGER US, BOSTON, vol. 14, no. 3, 30 June 2020 (2020-06-30), Boston , pages 299 - 309, XP037198268, ISSN: 1936-3761, DOI: 10.1007/s12281-020-00397-0 *
JERUSHALMI SHACHAR, MAYMON MARCEL, DOMBROVSKY AVIV, REGEV RAFI, SCHMILOVITCH ZE’EV, NAMDAR DVORA, SHALEV NURIT, KOLTAI HINANIT, FR: "Effects of steam sterilization on reduction of fungal colony forming units, cannabinoids and terpene levels in medical cannabis inflorescences", SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP, US, vol. 11, no. 1, 7 July 2021 (2021-07-07), US , pages 13973, XP093136148, ISSN: 2045-2322, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93264-y *
MEI WANG, YAN-HONG WANG, BHARATHI AVULA, MOHAMED M. RADWAN, AMIRA S. WANAS, JOHN VAN ANTWERP, JON F. PARCHER, MAHMOUD A. ELSOHLY, : "Decarboxylation Study of Acidic Cannabinoids: A Novel Approach Using Ultra-High-Performance Supercritical Fluid Chromatography/Photodiode Array-Mass Spectrometry", CANNABIS AND CANNABINOID RESEARCH, vol. 1, no. 1, 1 December 2016 (2016-12-01), pages 262 - 271, XP055709724, ISSN: 2378-8763, DOI: 10.1089/can.2016.0020 *

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
El Ouadi et al. Essential oil composition and antifungal activity of Melissa officinalis originating from north-Est Morocco, against postharvest phytopathogenic fungi in apples
Saba et al. Nano-ZnO/carboxymethyl cellulose-based active coating impact on ready-to-use pomegranate during cold storage
Viacava et al. Effect of free and microencapsulated thyme essential oil on quality attributes of minimally processed lettuce
Guerra et al. Coatings comprising chitosan and Mentha piperita L. or Mentha× villosa Huds essential oils to prevent common postharvest mold infections and maintain the quality of cherry tomato fruit
Sivakumar et al. A review on the use of essential oils for postharvest decay control and maintenance of fruit quality during storage
Kim et al. Antimicrobial activity of plant extracts against Salmonella Typhimurium, Escherichia coli O157: H7, and Listeria monocytogenes on fresh lettuce
Valverde et al. Improvement of table grapes quality and safety by the combination of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and eugenol, menthol, or thymol
Bosquez-Molina et al. Inhibitory effect of essential oils against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Rhizopus stolonifer in stored papaya fruit and their possible application in coatings
Pandey et al. Efficacy of some essential oils against Aspergillus flavus with special reference to Lippia alba oil an inhibitor of fungal proliferation and aflatoxin B1 production in green gram seeds during storage
Hyun et al. Preservative effectiveness of essential oils in vapor phase combined with modified atmosphere packaging against spoilage bacteria on fresh cabbage
Tian et al. Zanthoxylum molle Rehd. essential oil as a potential natural preservative in management of Aspergillus flavus
Sivakumar et al. An overview on litchi fruit quality and alternative postharvest treatments to replace sulfur dioxide fumigation
Frankova et al. The antifungal activity of essential oils in combination with warm air flow against postharvest phytopathogenic fungi in apples
Wang et al. Overall quality properties of kiwifruit treated by cinnamaldehyde and citral: microbial, antioxidant capacity during cold storage
Aquino et al. Evaluation of fungal burden and aflatoxin presence in packed medicinal plants treated by gamma radiation
Li et al. Effects and possible mechanism of tea tree oil against Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium expansum in vitro and in vivo test
Cindi et al. Chitosan boehmite-alumina nanocomposite films and thyme oil vapour control brown rot in peaches (Prunus persica L.) during postharvest storage
Zamani‐Zadeh et al. Biocontrol of gray mold disease on strawberry fruit by integration of Lactobacillus plantarum A7 with ajwain and cinnamon essential oils
Lisboa et al. Influence of storage conditions on quality attributes of medicinal plants
Breceda-Hernandez et al. Effect of a pectin edible coating obtained from orange peels with lemon essential oil on the shelf life of table grapes (Vitis vinifera L. var. Red Globe).
Moradinezhad et al. Influence of edible coatings on postharvest quality of fresh Chinese jujube fruits during refrigerated storage
Chaemsanit et al. Controlled Release of Peppermint Oil from Paraffin‐Coated Activated Carbon Contained in Sachets to Inhibit Mold Growth During Long Term Storage of Brown Rice
Kacániová et al. Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of selected essential oils against Staphylococcus spp. isolated from human semen
Khezerlou et al. Incorporation of essential oils with antibiotic properties in edible packaging films
WO2024028708A1 (en) Methods for sterilization of cannabis material

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 23849591

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1