Claims:What is claimed is:
1. A concentrated powder for cleaning fruits and vegetables comprising of 10% to 45% organic acids, 20% to 70% refined salt, 5% to 20% sodium percarbonate and 12% to 50% salt of carbonic acid for removing dirt, wax, grime, pesticides, bacteria, surface contaminants, pollutants and providing an increased shelf life to the produce.
2. A concentrated powder for cleaning fruits and vegetables of claim 1 wherein the organic acid is citric acid.
3. A concentrated powder for cleaning fruits and vegetables of claim 1 wherein the organic acid Tartaric acid.
4. A concentrated powder for cleaning fruits and vegetables of claim 1 wherein the salt of carbonic acid is Sodium Bicarbonate.
5. A method of diluting the powder in claim 1 in water for soaking and washing the fruits and vegetables for removal of dirt, wax, grime, pesticides, bacteria, surface contaminants, pollutants.
6. A method of diluting the powder in claim 1 in water for soaking and washing the fruits and vegetables for increasing the shelf life of the produce.
, Description:A cleaning powder for use on fruits and vegetables that removes, surface contaminants, wax and pesticides with anti-bacterial properties for increasing shelf life.
Field of the Invention and use of Invention:
In today’s Farming practices lot of pesticides and fertilizers are used. These Chemicals are sprayed till the produce is harvested. Due to extensive use of pesticides and fertilizers the residues remain on the fruit and vegetables, which is a serious cause of concern. Farmers also use spray adjuvant to avoid washing off of the pesticides and get long term control making it difficult for washing off with water alone. Long-term consumption of pesticide-contaminated fruits and vegetables results in the accumulation of harmful substances in the body that poses a potential threat to human health and in some cases food poisoning. The contamination of fruits and vegetables does not end with Pesticides contamination only. After harvest the produce is transported to the local markets where it is handled and stored and redistributed to local vendors. In the entire supply chain, not necessarily good hygiene practices are followed and there is a chance of contamination on every step. The local vendors also apply wax to certain fruits like apples to give a shine, which cannot be washed away with plain water. Fruits and Vegetables are also sprayed with water by local vendors so that it appears fresh. In that case not necessarily the water is demineralised or not contaminated. Overall from the process of production of fruits and vegetables till it reaches the consumers a lot of contaminants get added to the produce. Soaking or rinsing alone cannot remove all surface pesticides, contaminants, wax and provide disinfection to the produce.
This invention relates to a composition for cleaning fruits and vegetables that will remove the surface contaminants like pesticides and dirt and grime accumulated during the transportation and handling process. More particularly, this invention is also effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria and effective in removal of wax from fruits. Fruits and vegetables are a necessity of daily life and this invention can provide consumers with a fruit and vegetable cleaning powder that can be diluted in water to clean the produce and remove the contaminants.
Prior Art and problem to be solved:
Currently the common practice of soaking, rinsing and washing fruits and vegetables to remove pesticide residues and contaminants is inadequate. Normal washing by water can remove water-soluble pesticides with low efficiency and is not suitable for fat-soluble pesticides. Also it cannot remove the Wax coating and kill the bacteria present on the surface.
With the necessity to have cleaner fruits and vegetables, many inventions were made to provide for a cleaning solution. Most of these compositions are based on using citric acid, lauryl sulfate and Tween 80 surfactant as in the case of U.S. Patent 5,320,772 it discloses the use of sodium lauryl sulfate and nonionic surfactants, such as Tween surfactants. U.S. Patent 4,002,579 suggests use of Polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid monoesters for cleaning Chinese cabbages in their invention. However in all the cases chemicals of harsh nature are used like sodium lauryl sulphate, which may contain 1,4-dioxane that is a possible human carcinogen. In that cases removing pesticides (carcinogen) by using chemicals containing 1,4-dioxane (carcinogen) appears contradictory. Peter in his publication US20020132732 discusses the use of lactic acid, benzoic acid and acetic acid and anionic surfactant, nonethoxylated sorbitan derivative and an ethoxylated sorbitan derivative and water for removing wax and killing bacteria on the surface of the produce.
The current invention uses a composition that contains no carcinogens and is effective in removing wax as well as has anti-bacterial properties. The new composition is a powder formulation and is required in less quantity thereby reducing the shipping cost and problems in liquid handling. Secondly due to having anti-bacterial properties, it also increases the shelf life of the produce, which is an important aspect of this invention. The present invention also uses the release of oxygen and carbon dioxide bubbles in the water once the powder is dissolved in water which improves the performance for cleaning dirt and grime from the produce.

Objects of the Invention:
It has already been proposed that the invention provides a concentrated powder that can be diluted in water and fruits and vegetables can be soaked in this water resulting in cleaner produce. The principal object of this invention is to provide a concentrated powder formulation for cleaning fruits and vegetables from dirt, grime, Wax and other contaminants. Another object of this invention is to provide a powder that removes surface pesticides from the produce. A further object of this invention is to provide a powder that is effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria that will also help in increasing the shelf life of the produce.

Summary of the Invention
There are many shortcomings of the inventions discussed in the prior art. The concentrated powder for cleaning vegetables and fruits overcomes these shortcomings and accomplishes the objects of the invention. This invention includes in its embodiments combinations of 10% to 45% organic acids, 20% to 70% refined salt, 5% to 20% sodium percarbonate and 12% to 50% salt of carbonic acid in preferred ratios. In another embodiment only one organic acid is used in with other ingredients refined salt, sodium percarbonate and salt of carbonic acid.
The process for combining the mixture is discussed in the examples. The invented product when added to water results in releasing carbon dioxide bubbles in the water and have alkalizing properties that aids in removal of surface pesticides and wax. The carbonates also aid in softening the water and cleaning of dirt and grime. When one Ingredient in composition comes in contact with water forms Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) which is an excellent anti-bacterial agent that kills the bacteria on the produce and releases oxygen bubbles. The novel feature of this invention is that it is a concentrated powder formulation which can be transported and stored easily and does not have problems attached with liquid handling. This invention not only cleans surface contaminants, pesticides and wax but it also is an anti-bacterial agent.
Detailed Description of the Invention:

The purpose of this invention is to provide a solution to wash fruits and vegetables and make them cleaner and safe for consumption.
The present invention relates to a concentrated powder which is meant to be diluted in water. In this water fruits vegetables can be soaked and then rinsed with plain water. Doing so will remove the surface contaminants, dirt, grime and surface pesticides from the produce. This unique invention also generates carbon dioxide bubbles that assist in the cleaning of fruits and vegetables. Unlike other fruit and vegetable cleaning solutions, this invention also acts releases hydrogen peroxide that acts as a anti-bacterial agent and kills the bacteria on the produce.
The most important aspect is that this invention is safer than many other cleaning products as it does not contain surfactants which may sometimes lead to secondary pollution of the produce.
In this invention the concentrated powder for cleaning fruits and vegetables is prepared by using Citric Acid Anhydrous (C6H8O7), Tartaric acid(C4H6O6), Sodium Chloride (NaCl) refined salt, Sodium percarbonate (Na2CO3•1.5H2O2) and Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCo3).
The procedure for making the concentrated mixture as per first embodiment includes mixing Citric Acid Anhydrous 5% to 25%, Tartaric acid 5% to 25%, Sodium Chloride 20% to 70%, Sodium percarbonate 5% to 20% and Sodium Bicarbonate 12% to 50%.
Example 1:
In a ribbon blender Sodium Bicarbonate 340 grams is added. In this Citric Acid Anhydrous 100 grams and Tartaric acid 200 grams is added. The ribbon blender is set at 24rpm. This powder is removed and heated for 30 seconds at 80 Degree Celsius preferable in a microwave or autoclave to remove any moisture. To these 50 grams of Sodium percarbonate is added while stirring in ribbon blender and Sodium Chloride 310 grams is added to make 1Kg of Concentrated cleaning powder.
As per the second embodiment Citric Acid Anhydrous 10% to 25%, Sodium Chloride 20% to 70%, Sodium percarbonate 5% to 20% and Sodium Bicarbonate 12% to 35% are used to make the powder.
Example 2:
In a ribbon blender Sodium Bicarbonate 240 grams is added. In this Citric Acid Anhydrous 200 grams is added. The ribbon blender is set at 24rpm. This powder is removed and heated for 30 seconds at 80 Degree Celsius preferable in a microwave or autoclave to remove any moisture. To these 160 grams of Sodium percarbonate is added while stirring in ribbon blender and Sodium Chloride 400 grams is added to make 1Kg of Concentrated cleaning powder.
Method of use of the Concentrated Cleaning Powder: 10 grams of concentrated cleaning powder should be dissolved in 1 Litre of water in a bowl or vessel. Fruits and Vegetables should be soaked in this water and powder solution for 3 to 5 minutes and gently rubbed. Fruits and Vegetables should then be removed and rinsed with plain running water. The produce is now cleaner from Surface contaminants, wax and pesticides. During soaking Sodium percarbonate has released H2O2 that has anti-bacterial action to kill the surface bacteria as well.

Best Method
The best method to make a concentrated cleaning powder to obtain maximum cleaning properties and longer storage stability is to add 360 grams of Sodium Bicarbonate in a ribbon blender set the ribbon blender at 24rpm. To this add Citric Acid Anhydrous 100 grams and Tartaric acid 200 grams. Remove the mixture and heat it for 30 seconds at 80 Degree Celsius in a microwave. Add the mixture back to the ribbon blender. Add 90 grams of Sodium percarbonate while stirring in ribbon blender and later add Sodium Chloride 250 grams in the ribbon blender. Stir for 30 minutes to ensure uniform mixing of the powders. Remove the Powder and heat it for 30 seconds at 80 Degree Celsius in a microwave. Remove the powder and pack in air tight container to avoid moisture.

Cited Patent Filing date Publication date Applicant Title
US 5320772 18 May 1992 14 June 1994 R. Eugene Tricca Composition for cleaning fruits and vegetables
US4002579 12 Feb 1975 11 Jan 1977 Hiroshi Mizutani, Fumikatsu Tokiwa, Tetsuya Imamura, Toshiro Sakurada
Detergent Composition
US20020132742 5 Dec 2001 13 June 2002 Peter Y. Mizuki Composition for cleaning fruits, vegetables and food contact surfaces