Our cooperative is equipped with a system for the control and elimination of bacteria. The machinery is placed before the packaging line.

Cold-dried herbs, without stalks and blended in the right proportions, are put in a hermetically closed canister. A rush of sanitizing air containing 3 ppm of ozone (O3) is blown inside for a variable time according to the type of blend.

What is ozone?

Ozone is a molecule formed by three oxygen atoms (O3), which has a negative electric charge. Ozone molecules are very unstable and they decay very rapidly, as shown by the reaction illustrated here.

Ozone can form naturally (for example in storms) or be generated artificially by means of special lamps. In this case it is very important to use a technology enabling the total control of quantities and methods of O3 production and also of its release.

How does it work?

Ozone works according to the principle of oxidation. When the static charged molecule of ozone (O3) comes into contact with something that can oxidize the O3 molecular charge goes directly on it. For these features ozone – if properly modulated in quantities and times – can be used effectively to eliminate plant bacteria, yeasts and moulds oxidizing only micro-organisms without altering the organoleptic properties of the blend.

Technical notes
on the system for the elimination of bacteria

Conclusions and results

• CFU (colony-forming unit)

A) Result of the bacterial test before treatment on a sample of blend with dilution -4 (about 180,000 CFU/g)

B) Result of the bacterial test after O3 treatment on the same sample of blend with dilution -4 (about 180,000 CFU/g)

Enclosed you can find some tests made by Valverbe in the laboratory Marini, certified Sinal. They prove that a rush of sanitizing air with 3 O3/ppm, blown for 15 minutes in an herbal blend ready to be packaged in pouches, eliminates effectively bacteria.

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