Abstract: A process for reducing viable microbial content of a substantially solid material which is susceptible to microbial spoilage or contamination, the process comprising: (a) entraining a biocidal substance in a carrier gas to form a biocidal gas mixture by adding a biocidal substance to a heated carrier gas; and (b) contacting exposed surfaces of the solid material with the biocidal gas mixture heated to an elevated temperature of at least about 10° C. above the dew point of the biocidal gas mixture for a sufficient period of time so that at least some microbes on the exposed surfaces are exposed to the biocidal substance in the biocidal gas mixture.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for applying volatile substances, particularly microbicidal substances, to materials such as foods, pharmaceutical products and ingredients thereof for the purpose of achieving at least partial microbial decontamination and/or shelf-life extension. The volatile substance, which is preferably carbonic acid, acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide and mixtures thereof, are entrained in a carrier gas and preferably applied to the material at an over-pressure of up to 3 bar (2250 mm Hg) above atmospheric pressure.