Birko BLAST
The BLAST — or Bromine Liquid Antimicrobial System Technology — is a hypobromous acid-based intervention system for killing pathogenic bacteria during processing. It safely generates hypobromous acid by automatically blending a liquid precursor, HB2, with sodium hypochlorite. The BLAST system injects the generated hypobromous into the water line, feeding a cabinet where the solution is applied in a high volume flood.
Antimicrobial Intervention System
Hypobromous acid is a USDA and FDA-approved antimicrobial intervention with demonstrated efficacy against E. coli and Salmonella, with initial testing showing a 1-to-2-log reduction in E. coli O157:H7. It is approved for use on carcasses, offal and all primals, sub-primals, cuts and trim at concentrations up to 300 ppm.
The Birko BLAST safely controls the risks and inconsistencies involved in generating hypobromous acid by automatically mixing the two precursor solutions. With this automated system, there’s almost no need for plant personnel to handle the chemicals directly. The BLAST offers processors the ability to add another intervention step with little added cost.
Elis Owens, B. SC, Ph.D., Birko chemist/microbiologist and member of the BLAST development team, demonstrates the hypobromous acid-based intervention system for killing pathogenic bacteria during processing.
The BLAST unit incorporates a Process Logic Controller with a remotely mounted touch screen control panel that shows real-time data on system status and operation. A password-protected secondary screen allows an operator to adjust system control parameters without having to connect a laptop to the PLC. It includes an audible alarm for system faults.
The current BLAST system is high capacity, delivering 300 gallons per minute of 300 ppm hypobromous acid. Birko is developing BLAST systems with a smaller capacity, intended for small-to-medium sized users.
